The Pittsburgh Steelers are interested in free-agent wide receiver Tyler Boyd, who has been in free agency for quite some time. Last week, it was reported and confirmed to Steelers Now that the Steelers and Boyd had mutual interest, but nothing has happened just yet.
Of course, there are many factors to consider. Part of it is what teams are calling Boyd and, more than that, what factors Boyd is considering in his next landing spot. But contract price is a big factor, too. But PFF sees Boyd and the Steelers as a natural fit that should happen.
“Boyd is a big slot receiver with solid blocking chops in the run game. He rarely ever drops a target and does well to sit in soft spots of zones on key passing downs. However, Boyd posted several career-low marks in 2023, and with so many big financial decisions facing Cincinnati, the Bengals may not be willing to offer him as much as other teams looking to upgrade their unit over the middle,” they wrote about Boyd.
A second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Boyd has been Cincinnati’s primary slot receiver for six years, working inside Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in the team’s usual starting. The 29-year-old has been one of the most consistent slot receivers in the NFL. He has recorded at least 50 catches and 600 receiving yards in seven of his eight seasons. His best years came in 2018-19 when he exceeded 1,000 yards for the only two times in his career lineup.
So, just what would Tyler Boyd command if he came to Pittsburgh? Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus is generally dead-on with many of his contract projections, and he has Boyd landing a two-year, $16.5 million contract, or an average of $8.25 million per year.
This past season, with quarterback Joe Burrow injured, the entire Cincinnati passing offense struggled, and Boyd finished with 67 catches for 667 yards and two touchdowns, all low marks since his second season in 2017.
The Steelers have released veteran slot receiver Allen Robinson II and traded star outside receiver Diontae Johnson this month, leaving the team very needy at the wide receiver position.
Boyd would be a younger and more athletic replacement for Robinson as a primarily slot receiver that also has the ability to play on the outside.
Boyd went 48-0 as a quarterback, receiver, running back, defensive back and punt returner in four years at Clairton, winning four WPIAL and PIAA titles. In three seasons at Pitt, he caught 254 passes for 3,361 yards and 21 touchdowns.
The Steelers have signed Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins, and almost certainly look to be adding to this room through the draft in some capacity.