NFL Insider Suggests Steelers Still in Play for Veteran Free Agent WR
If Pittsburgh Steelers fans have learned anything this offseason with the team’s major changes at quarterback, never say never. That’s essentially what ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler argued the situation is with the Steelers and wide receiver Tyler Boyd.
The Steelers have not agreed to a contract with Boyd despite mutual interest from both parties this offseason. But Fowler reported on April 5 Pittsburgh may yet make one final offer to the veteran receiver.
“Several teams have remained interested over the last month or so, but it’s a situation where he’s probably going to wait until after the draft,” Fowler said of Boyd during NFL Live. “Be that May 2 option for a team that doesn’t fill their need in the draft over the first few days.
“Certainly, Pittsburgh kid. Grew up there. Steelers have a need. They haven’t made, really, a hard offer for him yet. Maybe they’ll do that.”
A Clairton, PA native and Pitt football alum, Boyd has spent his entire career with the Cincinnati Bengals. He posted 67 catches for 667 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns last season.
Could the Steelers Still Sign WR Tyler Boyd?
As Fowler mentioned, the Steelers need a starting wide receiver which should make the team interested in Boyd. George Pickens is the only wideout on Pittsburgh’s current roster who posted more than 209 receiving yards last season.
The Steelers signed Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins after trading Diontae Johnson during the first week of free agency. But Jefferson and Watkins combined for just 351 receiving yards last season. Boyd has posted at least 650 yards every year since 2018.
Boyd lined up for about 81% of his offensive snaps in the slot last season. In a perfect world, the Steelers will target a receiver on one of the first two days of the draft and still sign Boyd. That will allow the veteran receiver to primarily play in the slot.
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