3 kickers the Pittsburgh Steelers can use to compete with Chris Boswell

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 18: Ka'imi Fairbairn #7 of the Houston Texans celebrates after a 54-yard field goal to give his team the lead against the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter of the game at FedExField on November 18, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. The Texans won 23-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 18: Ka'imi Fairbairn #7 of the Houston Texans celebrates after a 54-yard field goal to give his team the lead against the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter of the game at FedExField on November 18, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. The Texans won 23-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Matt McCrane #3 of the Oakland Raiders kicks the game-winning field goal in overtime against the Cleveland Browns at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 30, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Matt McCrane #3 of the Oakland Raiders kicks the game-winning field goal in overtime against the Cleveland Browns at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 30, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

The Pittsburgh Steelers will have kicker Chris Boswell compete for his job this summer, and could bring in these three names for the competition.

After a season full of struggle, Chris Boswell is going to have to fight to keep his job in Pittsburgh. The Steelers need a reliable place kicker and last season, Boswell was far from it. Now, he’s going to have to prove last season isn’t going to happen again.

It won’t be easy. Despite Boswell’s contract extension in 2018, his future in Pittsburgh is not guaranteed. He’ll have to show he’s capable of being as sturdy of a kicker as he was in years past. If not, he’ll find himself searching for work while one of these three competitors are wearing black and gold.

Matt McCrane

Matt McCrane is a given. Pittsburgh brought in the rookie kicker last season in the midst of Boswell’s struggles. Once the Steelers’ kicker left for the season with an injury, McCrane stepped in to kick during the team’s final game.

He kicked well, but with only one game of experience in Pittsburgh, it’s too early to say he’s earned anything more than a tryout. This summer, the Steelers will keep him around to join the competition, but he’s likely going to have to beat two other kickers as well.

McCrane is likely their top choice to replace Boswell, but if he couldn’t beat him out last season it’s not promising he’ll do it again. He’s going to have to prove himself to stay on the roster.