A Tyler Boyd market has formed in the AFC. The Bengals Tee Higgins franchise tag and future Ja’Marr Chase payment, in all likelihood, makes a third Boyd contract unrealistic. But three other AFC teams are believed to be in on the veteran slot receiver.
In addition to Boyd’s hometown Steelers, The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly notes the Chiefs and Jets are believed to have interest in the eight-year wide receiver. While the Jets were not believed to be in on Boyd recently, per The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt, players are believed to be recruiting the former 1,000-yard receiver.
[RELATED: Mutual Interest Between Steelers, Tyler Boyd]
Each team needs receiver help. The Steelers cut Allen Robinson and traded Diontae Johnson, while the Chiefs trudged through an uneven year — despite said season ending with another Super Bowl title — at the position. They have since released Marquez Valdes-Scantling and missed out on Darnell Mooney. Kansas City was also believed to be interested in a pitch for Mike Evans, who re-signed with the Buccaneers.
The Jets’ effort to add receiving talent to complement Garrett Wilson bombed in 2023. The Mecole Hardman whiff became the Chiefs’ gain (and might bring a tampering investigation, as Joe Douglas hinted), while the Randall Cobb and Allen Lazard pickups did not move the needle, either. Lazard received $22MM guaranteed at signing, keeping the former Packer in the mix despite a disappointing Jets debut. But the team was linked to both Evans and Davante Adams recently.
Boyd is not on those stars’ level, but he did make regular contributions to the Joe Burrow-era Bengals teams after commanding an eight-figure-per-year extension while working with Andy Dalton in the 2010s. Boyd, 29, posted two 1,000-yard seasons with Dalton and cleared 750 yards from 2020-22. Last season, the big-bodied slot target totaled just 667 yards — still more than Higgins’ total — and two TDs, with Burrow’s injury contributing to the dip. With Mooney, Gabe Davis and Calvin Ridley off the board, markets like this one come into focus.
Tyler Boyd and Hunter Renfrow could be considered WR3/4 types. Mike Williams could be closer to the WR1/2 type they would want but could cost some $$$ if he’s not tied to any deal with guaranteed money when he was released.
Please. Any one but Pittsburgh. He’s washed.
He used to be a solid slot, that’s in the past tho. Bengals have needed him to step up the past couple seasons and he’s just been unable to. So, I’d love it if Pitt or KC signed him. He’s no threat
Not sure how people here are saying he’s washed. He had about as many yards and catches last year as he always has and he did it without Burrow
Would be an immediate upgrade to the Steelers receiving corp
He’s much better then Mooney n Davis. Ridley is Better but disappeared a lot so Idk maybe only a little worse. Boyd only drawback is the drops. Might not be a drawback except the one in the super bowl lives rent free…
Did Aaron Rodgers give his stamp of approval? He likes to tell them who to sign but his judgement isn’t very good.