Steelers News: Chris Boswell cashes in big time, but still has a lot to prove in 2019

The Pittsburgh Steelers just wrapped up the NFL preseason which means the exhibition games are over. This means the regular season is almost here, and the news surrounding the black-and-gold is just starting to heat up. As the team prepares for the coming season, we continue to provide you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over until the season starts!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at how even though Chris Boswell cashed in on a big contract, he still has a lot of work to do, and a lot to prove, during the 2019 season.

Let’s get to the news:

• The Pittsburgh Steelers had a kicker problem in 2018, and it stemmed around Chris Boswell. The same Chris Boswell who was given a brand new contract prior to the start of the season. Boswell was on thin ice this preseason, performed well earning his roster bonus, but he still has a lot to prove.

Chris Boswell keeps same mindset in officially retaining Steelers’ kicking job, earning bonus

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Chris Boswell had 2 million reasons to hold on to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ kicking job. He insists none of them factored in to him ultimately doing so.

“If I’m thinking about money every time I am kicking,” Boswell said after the first practice of the regular season Monday, “something is going to go wrong.

“So I am just happy to be here and I am going to take it day by day.”

Boswell held off rookie challenger Matthew Wright and made the 53-man roster after the cutdown purge Saturday. After Boswell struggled last season following the signing of a lucrative contract, the Steelers convinced him to (or demanded he) postpone a $2 million roster bonus from March until after the conclusion of the preseason.

Boswell performed well during practices at Saint Vincent as well as during preseason games. Wright looked good, too, but Boswell did not give any indication he deserved to lose the gig he’s held since October 2015.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• With Joe Haden getting a new contract, some players could be next in line to get paid. But those players, like Ola Adeniyi and Javon Hargrave, aren’t thinking about it.

Steelers notes: Ola Adeniyi returns to practice, Javon Hargrave up next for contract extension?

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Now that Joe Haden’s contract has been taken care of, will the Steelers move on to their next priority when it comes to their free-agents-to-be? Sean Davis, Bud Dupree and Javon Hargrave are starters on defense entering the final season of their contracts and would be eligible to negotiate an extension before the team-imposed deadline of the regular-season opener Sunday.

Hargrave perhaps is the most likely to receive an extension, but there has been no known progress on potential negotiations between him and the Steelers on a deal.

“I don’t even think about it no more,” Hargrave said Monday. “I am looking at my film and ready to try to have good start to the season and have a big year.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• This makes me sad...

Jets hire ex-Steeler Ward as offensive assistant

By: ESPN Staff Writers

The New York Jets have hired former NFL wide receiver Hines Ward as a full-time offensive assistant.

”I think that’s a great addition for us,” head coach Adam Gase said. “He’s done a lot of really good things with that group, helping out with those guys. It’s the right time for him. He’s excited about the opportunity.”

Ward was one of the team’s four Bill Walsh coaching interns and spent training camp working with Jets wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson. He will continue to work with the wideouts.

”He’s a great resource because he’s done it at a high level consistently,” Jets receiver Robby Anderson said of Ward. “He’s a future Hall of Famer, so what more can I ask for? I’m picking his brain, and he’s more so telling me than I’m asking him, and I’m just staying on top of him. He’s just trying to find ways to get me better in each way.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Joe Haden post-practice availability

• Social Media Madness