In a tight and competitive division like the AFC North, things will often come down to special teams.
That’s exactly how the division title was determined in 2025 when Baltimore kicker Tyler Loop missed a field goal as time expired in Week 18 against Pittsburgh, handing the Steelers the AFC North crown.
Now, special teams take on greater importance in the division as the Steelers have a new special teams coordinator for the first time in 13 seasons, while they also bring in a new punter. Baltimore changes things up, too, with a new punter after losing Jordan Stout in free agency. The Browns continue to search for consistency.
But there is one truly dominant specialist in the division, and he resides in Pittsburgh carrying a record-tying extension signed this offseason. That would be Chris Boswell. There’s Boswell in the kicking game, and then everyone else.
So how do things shake out from best to worst at the position? Today, let’s look into the final position installment of my Ranking the Rooms: AFC North series here at Steelers Depot, the specialists.
1. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
As if there was any doubt the Steelers would land at No. 1 here. Yes, they are breaking in a new coordinator in Danny Crossman, who has had some struggles in previous stops. And yes, they have a new punter again in Cameron Johnston, a familiar face circling back around.
But things start with Boswell for the Black and Gold on special teams, and that’s a great place to be.
Though Boswell connected on just 84.4% of his field goals last season (27-of-32), down from the 41 field goals and the 93% conversion rate he had in 2024, Boswell remains the elite of the elite. The missed extra point last season in Week 18 against the Ravens to leave the door open was a bit concerning, but Boswell is as good as they come in the NFL.
The Steelers brought back Cameron Johnston at punter this offseason, moving on from Corliss Waitman. Johnston punted in one game for the Steelers in 2024 before tearing up his knee. Last season he was in training camp with the Steelers but was cut in favor of Waitman, then bounced around the NFL with the Bills and Giants. He’s healthy now and aims to bounce back.
Christian Kuntz returns at long snapper. The Pittsburgh native has been up and down in recent years. He’s had some sloppy snaps at times, and it was expected that he would be in a battle with Cal Adomitis in training camp, but the Steelers released Adomotis on Thursday.
2. CINCINNATI BENGALS
Quietly, the Cincinnati Bengals are closing the gap with the Steelers when it comes to the best specialists room in the AFC North. Kicker Evan McPherson returns and is coming off a great 2025 season. He connected on nearly 90% of his kicks, drilling 25-of-28 field goals.
That 89.% conversion rate is a career-best for the Bengals kicker, and with a healthy Joe Burrow back in 2026, McPherson should have more opportunities to put the ball through the uprights.
Ryan Rehkow emerged as one of the better punters in football. He averaged more than 50 yards per punt last season and was a weapon for Cincinnati in a tough year. Twenty-eight of his 65 punts were downed inside the 20-yard line.
At long snapper the Bengals bring back William Wagner, who played in all 17 games for the Bengals last season after beating out Adomitis. He was part of a great season on special teams for the Bengals, so expectations are high for Year 2.
3. BALTIMORE RAVENS
Moving on from Justin Tucker last year was necessary, and the Ravens seemed to make the right call with Tyler Loop. That is, until the final game of the year.
Loop’s missed field goal to end Week 18 against the Steelers sent Baltimore into the offseason, which brought great change to the organization. There’s some good and some bad with that missed kick from Loop. It ended a strong rookie season on a low note despite Loop connecting on 30-of-34 field goals. He also converted 44-of-46 extra points and was pretty dependable overall.
But that missed kick lingers.
Losing Jordan Stout in free agency was a big blow, too. Now, Baltimore is relying on sixth-round pick Ryan Eckley and rookie UDFA Luke Elzinga. Eckley was one of the best punters in the 2026 NFL Draft, and the Ravens did well going that route previously with Stout.
At long snapper, the steady Nick Moore returns for another season. The former All-Pro continues to be one of the better long snappers in football, but with questions at punter and concerns about Loop being able to shake off the missed field goal to end the season, the Ravens stay in third.
4. CLEVELAND BROWNS
The Browns have never been able to quite figure out the kicking position, but they might have finally found one in Andre Szmyt. He connected on nearly 90% of his kicks last season and helped stabilize the position for Cleveland. He made some big kicks throughout the year and now has the Browns feeling good about the kicking game.
There are concerns at punter, though.
Corey Bojorquez returns after punting the ball 93 times last season. He averaged just over 45 yards per punt, which was a decrease in his typical numbers. Only 23 of those 93 punts were downed inside the 20-yard line, too. He wasn’t able to flip the field consistently, and now he must compete with the likes of Nik Constantinou and undrafted rookie free agent Wes Pahl this offseason.
Long snapper Rex Sunahara returns for Year 3 in Cleveland after playing in all 17 games last season. The former Steeler has bounced around the league but found a home in Cleveland and projects as a key part of the operation on special teams moving forward.
2025 AFC North Specialists rankings:
No. 1 – Pittsburgh Steelers
No. 2 – Cincinnati Bengals
No. 3 – Baltimore Ravens
No. 4 – Cleveland Browns
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