PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The only drama here was if Chris Boswell decided to hold out, apparently, he is not. The NFL Network reports the Steelers told kicker Ben Sauls he will be released by the team if he isn’t traded before the 53-man roster deadline at 4p on Tuesday.
It was a peculiar move for Sauls to sign with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent out of Pitt. He was a record-setting kicker coming off a great senior season and Boswell had two more years left on his current contract. Its then word started leaking that Boswell was looking for more money.
Sauls was insurance against that happening and because of Boswell missing a number of practices, Sauls got many of the kicks, not only in preseason games, but practices. After kicking a Panthers record six field goals from 50 yards and beyond in college last year, Sauls hit a 50-yarder in the final preseason game at Carolina going 4-for-4 on field goals.
“I think I’ve gained a whole lot,” Sauls said during camp of the opportunity to work with Boswell, Christian Kuntz, Cameron Johnston and Corliss Waitman. “I’m extremely lucky to be surrounded by them. All of those years of experience, I don’t have that. To be able to learn from them, and they’ve helped me out a bunch. If they see something, they’ll pull be aside and say here’s how you play this situation. Here’s something to think about. They’ve really taken care of me and that means a lot to me.”
It's likely Sauls will get an opportunity with another team and be a first call if something happens with Boswell.