The Houston Texans have made a bold move by signing kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn to a two-year contract extension, elevating him to the status of the highest-paid kicker in the NFL. This deal, worth $13 million, translates to an impressive $6.5 million average annual value. Fairbairn's new contract slightly surpasses that of Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who inked a four-year, $25.6 million extension back in 2024, with an average annual value of $6.4 million.
This development is sure to catch the attention of Chris Boswell and the Pittsburgh Steelers, as Boswell's current contract positions him as the 11th-highest-paid kicker in the league. His four-year, $20 million deal is set to expire at the end of the 2026 season. Despite being an All-Pro in 2024, Boswell’s attempts to renegotiate his contract last summer didn’t gain traction, leaving him to play under the existing terms in 2025.
Boswell's focus remains on his performance, as he mentioned after nailing a game-winning field goal against the New York Jets in Week 1. "My kicking will take care of that," he stated, emphasizing his commitment to delivering on the field.
However, 2025 presented challenges for Boswell. The Steelers' offense, under the guidance of Aaron Rodgers, became more efficient in the red zone, reducing Boswell's field goal attempts from 44 in 2024 to just 32 in 2025. This, coupled with a drop in his conversion rate to 84.4%, marked the fourth-worst season of his career.
As the offseason approaches, the question looms: Will the Steelers be prepared to offer Boswell a contract that rivals Fairbairn's? Historically, the Steelers have held off on contract extensions until the summer, so Boswell's situation will be one to watch closely.