With training camp rapidly approaching, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves – in our eyes – lacking depth at wide receiver.
And now comes a pair of news items that we assume might dovetail into a move.
First comes word that Tyler Boyd would like to help fill that roster need.
Boyd registered 39 catches for 390 yards over 16 games in 2024 with Tennessee, numbers that were hampered by poor quarterback play and a late-season foot injury. However, these modest statistics tell only part of Boyd's story and underscore a crucial point about his career trajectory: he has never been a true No. 1 receiver, yet has consistently produced when placed in complementary roles.
And Boyd is now saying he'd like to do just that in his hometown of Pittsburgh.
"Absolutely," Boyd said to Pittsburgh Sports Now at his youth camp this weekend. "You know, all my family is here. I'd be able to have the majority of them be able to support me."
And next comes a Tuesday report that the Steelers have offered Boyd a contract.
Steelers insider Mark Kaboly tells 93.7 The Fan that "The Steelers did offer him, adding, "What I'm under the belief is, money is not there for him to make a decision. Not only with the Steelers, but across the league."
In other words, in Boyd's mind, the offer - likely a veteran's minimum and a one-year deal - is too low.
Still, Boyd, the Pitt product, seems to be giving off the vibe that this can really happen.
"I'm real cool with [Mike] Tomlin," he said. "He's always been a good person. ... When I was at Pitt, we had a good relationship. After practice, I'd walk over there, talk to [Antonio Brown] and those guys, talk to Tomlin, and he'd just pick at different things, where I could get better and get some guidance.
"I think we had a great friendship.''
During his eight seasons in Cincinnati, Boyd totaled 513 receptions for 6,000 yards and 31 touchdowns. His most impressive campaign came in 2018, when he finished as the Bengals' leading receiver with 76 receptions for 1,028 yards and seven touchdowns. What makes this achievement particularly noteworthy is that Boyd accomplished this without the benefit of being a primary focal point of opposing defenses.
The Steelers' current situation at the second receiver spot is murky. There is D.K. Metcalf at the top of the depth chart and to most critics, not much else.
Boyd has succeeded as a slot receiver and he has postseason experience, including appearances in Super Bowl LVI and multiple playoff runs with Cincinnati.
From a roster construction standpoint, adding Boyd would provide insurance without significant financial risk ... and the Pittsburgh connection being what it is, it might just be a fit - if one of the two sides budge from the so-far offer.