Steelers kicker Chris Boswell has restructured has agreed to restructure his contract, according to a report by Adam Caplan of Sirius XM NFL Radio, as the team continues to make moves to clear up salary cap space for the 2020 season.
Boswell, 29, was set to earn $3.575 million in 2020 in the second year of a four-year, $16.8 million contract. He was owed $1.375 million in salary and $1.2 million in deferred signing bonus that can be redistributed over the final two years of his contract.
After a rough 2018, Boswell bounced back for his best season as a pro in 2019. He made 29 of 31 field goals for a career-best 93.5% percentage and did not miss from under 40 yards on the season. He also hit all 28 extra points.
That came after a 2018 that saw his field goal percentage plummet to 65% and Boswell miss two kicks from under 40 and go just 5 of 10 in between 40 and 50 yards.
A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Boswell originally joined the Steelers mid-season in 2015, replacing Josh Scobee. He made the Pro Bowl in 2017.
In addition to restructuring Boswell’s contract on Monday, they did the same with tight end Vance McDonald and released linebackers Mark Barron and Anthony Chickillo and wide receiver Johnny Holton on Monday. On the same day, guard Ramon Foster announced his retirement.
The Steelers’ salary cap purge became essential when they placed a franchise tag on outside linebacker Bud Dupree earlier on Monday. Unless they’re able to sign him to a long-term extension, Dupree will play on a one-year, $15.9 million contract.
That came on top of the fact that the Steelers entered the offseason already several million over the salary cap.
Their exact position relative to the cap cannot be determined until the exact figures of McDonald and Boswell’s reconstructions have been released.