Christian Kuntz Bio
Christian Kuntz (born April 13, 1994) is an American professional football long snapper for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). A former college linebacker at Duquesne, he transitioned to long snapping early in his professional career and has developed into a reliable specialist at the highest level of American football. He has spent the majority of his professional years with the Pittsburgh Steelers after brief stints with several other organizations.
Early Life and Background
Christian Kuntz was born on April 13, 1994, in Scott Township, Pennsylvania. He is the son of Theo and Kathy Kuntz and grew up alongside two brothers, Jimmy and Louis. His early years in the Pittsburgh area helped shape his interest in sports, and he attended Chartiers Valley High School, where he lettered in both football and basketball.
At Chartiers Valley, Kuntz suffered a ruptured spleen prior to his senior football season, which forced him to miss the year. Despite the setback on the gridiron, he continued to compete on the basketball court. He won a WPIAL title alongside future NBA guard and close friend T. J. McConnell, an experience that highlighted his competitiveness and team-first mentality.
Path to American Football
Kuntz continued his football journey at Duquesne University, where he played linebacker for the Duquesne Dukes. During his sophomore season, he tore his ACL, an injury that tested his resolve but did not derail his development. As a junior, he posted 26 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, six pass breakups, and four interceptions, establishing himself as one of the most disruptive defenders in the Northeast Conference.
In his senior season, Kuntz added 24 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks, finishing his collegiate career with a school-record 30.5 sacks. His 71.5 career tackles for loss rank sixth all-time on the Football Championship Subdivision list. He was twice named a second-team Associated Press All-American in 2015 and 2016 and was a two-time Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He finished 12th in the voting for the 2016 Buck Buchanan Award, recognition that put him on the radar of NFL evaluators despite playing at a smaller program.
Christian Kuntz Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
After going undrafted in the 2017 NFL Draft, Christian Kuntz signed with the New England Patriots on August 28, 2017. He was waived the following day, an early reminder of the volatility facing undrafted free agents. That experience prompted a pivotal decision: Kuntz chose to focus on long snapping as his primary path to a professional roster.
He signed with the Denver Broncos on March 21, 2018, looking to land a long snapper role. Denver, however, released him on June 14, 2018. The short stay reinforced the steep competition for specialist positions and motivated Kuntz to refine his snapping craft while continuing to seek an opportunity in the league.
New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars (2017–2019)
Following his initial Patriots release, Kuntz later returned to the team’s orbit before being waived. The Jacksonville Jaguars then signed him to their practice squad on December 17, offering a foothold in the league. On December 31, Kuntz signed a futures contract with Jacksonville, signaling the organization saw long-term potential in him.
Jacksonville waived Kuntz on June 13, 2019, closing a brief but valuable chapter that allowed him to absorb professional routines and sharpen his specialty work. Across these stops, he built the consistency and accuracy that would later define his career as a long snapper.
Pittsburgh Steelers (First Stint, 2019–2020)
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Kuntz on August 15, 2019. In the preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers, he produced five tackles and a sack, demonstrating the linebacker instincts he had developed at Duquesne. Despite that performance, Pittsburgh waived him during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019.
Dallas Renegades (2020)
His preseason play drew the attention of former Dallas Cowboys fullback Daryl Johnston, then the director of player personnel for the Dallas Renegades of the XFL. Impressed by Kuntz’s abilities as a long snapper, Johnston suggested to assistant coach Kenny Perry that the team sign him. Even though Dallas already had a long snapper, Kuntz won the job thanks to his superior coverage abilities.
Five games into the season, the XFL canceled its season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kuntz’s contract was terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020, ending his brief but meaningful run in the spring league.
Pittsburgh Steelers (Second Stint, 2020–Present)
Kuntz rejoined the Steelers on March 30, 2020, was waived on August 2, and worked out for the Houston Texans on August 20 and the Indianapolis Colts on August 23. On November 24, the Steelers signed him to their practice squad, beginning the path that would finally secure a long-term home. He was released on December 23, re-signed on December 29, and released again on January 6, 2021, before signing a reserve/futures contract on January 14.
He re-signed with the Steelers on a one-year contract on February 22, 2023, cementing his status as the team’s long snapper. On March 14, 2024, Kuntz signed a three-year contract extension with Pittsburgh, rewarding his consistency and the trust the organization placed in his technique and coverage skills.
Driving Style and Strengths
Christian Kuntz’s value stems from the rare combination of a linebacker’s football instincts and a specialist’s refined technique. He is praised for his snapping accuracy, his aggressive coverage downfield, and his ability to contribute on special teams units. His path from pass-rushing defender to reliable long snapper reflects a player who has continually adapted his skill set to extend his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Kuntz’s career are his Duquesne records, his WPIAL basketball title with T. J. McConnell, and his preseason impact with the Steelers that included a sack against the Carolina Panthers. His three-year extension with Pittsburgh in 2024 stands as a major milestone, recognizing him as a long-term building block of the team’s special teams operation.
Christian Kuntz Career Wins
As a long snapper, Christian Kuntz’s professional recognition is measured less by traditional win totals and more by roster stability, contract longevity, and contributions to team success. His most significant victories have come in securing roster spots and signing multi-year extensions, including his 2024 three-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Other Wins and Performances
Kuntz’s most celebrated non-football victory came at Chartiers Valley, where he won a WPIAL basketball championship alongside future NBA guard T. J. McConnell. He has also earned repeat All-American and Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors at Duquesne, individual awards that validated his college career and helped launch his professional path.
Christian Kuntz Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Christian Kuntz is the son of Theo and Kathy Kuntz, and he has two brothers, Jimmy and Louis. He grew up in Scott Township, Pennsylvania, in a family that supported his multi-sport pursuits. His close friendship with T. J. McConnell, forged at Chartiers Valley, remains a notable connection from his high school years.
Personal Life
Kuntz has built his adult life in the Pittsburgh area, the same region where he was raised. He continues to maintain ties to the local community that shaped his football journey, while focusing on his role with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 NFL season, Christian Kuntz remains the Pittsburgh Steelers’ long snapper after signing a three-year contract extension in March 2024. His presence provides continuity on special teams, where snapping reliability and coverage discipline are essential to field goal, punt, and placement operations. The Steelers’ coaching staff has leaned on his consistency as a foundation for the unit.
Kuntz’s established role allows Pittsburgh to focus on developing other specialists and special teams contributors. His background as a college linebacker also offers value in protection schemes and on coverage units, an asset that special teams coordinators continue to utilize. As the season unfolds, his experience and durability remain central to the team’s plans.