Tyler Boyd is one of several veteran wideouts still on the market, and Steelers connections persist in his case. The chance of a Pittsburgh deal remains, but the team appears to have set a firm price point. 
A mutual interest was reported to exist between Boyd and his hometown team early in free agency. The 29-year-old has faced an uncertain future with the Bengals for some time now, owing to his contract status and that of fellow receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase. Both represent higher priorities on lucrative new deals, leaving Boyd on track to join a new team this offseason for the first time in his career.
The Diontae Johnson-less Steelers are a logical landing spot for the former second-rounder. Mark Kaboly of The Athletic notes, though, that Pittsburgh has made an offer to Boyd and is not prepared to increase it. The latter would take on a starter’s role in a receiver room which saw Johnson get traded to the Panthers after Allen Robinson‘s release. Numerous complementary players (including Quez Watkins and return specialist Cordarrelle Patterson) have been added, but Boyd would provide an experienced slot producer.
The latter recorded at least 828 yards every year from 2018-21, but he has seen his role in the offense diminish with the emergence of Chase and Higgins. Boyd notched 667 yards and two touchdowns in 2023, a notable step back from his production of years past. Given his age, though, the Pitt alum could still be an effective contributor in a Steelers offense which figures to be run-heavy under new OC Arthur Smith.
The Chiefs and Jets were also named as potential landing spots for Boyd. However, Kansas City has since signed Marquise Brown, while New York has brought in Mike Williams. Any further WR moves from those teams would likely come during the upcoming draft as a result. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin recently noted the depth of highly-acclaimed wideouts in the 2024 class, and Pittsburgh will have a number of opportunities to add a rookie at the position.
Boyd’s market has not seen much movement in recent weeks, so it will be interesting to see how he proceeds. His now-expired Bengals contract carried an average of $10.75MM over four years. An AAV or term matching that pact would come as a surprise this offseason, but he could still manage to land a notable short-term contract if a team other that the Steelers were to emerge as a serious suitor.
If they do land Boyd and draft a WR in the early rounds there will be tough decisions to make with the supporting cast at the position.
He fits in as WR2 but he’s more of a WR3 now.
On his best day Boyd is a WR3 now. Almost anyone the Steelers could draft in the first 3 rounds would have more potential upside. Nothing mentioned about the price Pittsburgh is willing to pay but the vet minimum with some incentives tossed into the package would be about the best Boyd could hope to do. His other option would be to just chill for the first month of the season until injuries start picking off other WRs giving him an opening to catch on with a desperate team.
I started to disagree with your comment here as Boyd’s numbers last year were on a par with every other season he’s had but your comment about drafting a stud and this guy apparently looking for a big pay day are right on. I’m as sentimental as the next yinzer about local guys who could play for the hometown team, but they can fill the 2 spot without him
Good comments all. I’d like to see Boyd as a Steeler but at their price, not his. If the Steelers are in fact holding firm, wise choice. Hometown sentimentality might eventually win out over payday… and if it doesn’t, Al parties should wish each other and move on.
Kind of interesting to see local media suddenly latch on to the “mutual interest” between he and the Steelers. Here, the PG runs a story on Boyd’s mom running a program for local youth at the YMCA. And over here, KDKA suddenly realizes Boyd is a local guy who may want to come home
All in 24 hours where there was nothing before
Sometimes you wonder in these guys have their own personal PR managers
Bum
Calvin Austin? Is he done?
Baltimore is a great fit too