Miles Boykin
Getty
Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Miles Boykin announced his NFL retirement on Instagram on Wednesday.
Wide receiver Miles Boykin last appeared in an NFL regular season game two years ago with the Pittsburgh Steelers. On Wednesday, Boykin officially ended his quest to make another appearance.
The 29-year-old wideout announced on Instagram he is retiring from the NFL.
“I’m beyond grateful for the sport of football,” Boykin wrote in his post, via Steelers Now’s Chris Ward. “Thanks to my coaches, teammates and fans for their support. My family and friends, I appreciate you constant encouragement. This sport has taught me so many lessons, and I don’t know where I would be without it!
“I’m excited for this new chapter in my life and can’t wait to see where it takes me!”
Boykin spent part of the 2025 season with the Chicago Bears. Chicago released Boykin from their practice squad on November 8.
The receiver played for the Steelers from 2022-23. In 33 regular season contests, Boykin posted five catches for 28 yards with Pittsburgh.
The wideout made his last official NFL appearance in the Steelers’ AFC wild card playoff matchup against the Buffalo Bills on January 15, 2024.
Ex-Steelers WR Miles Boykin Announces NFL Retirement
Boykin started his NFL career on the opposite side of the Steelers’ AFC North rivalry with the Baltimore Ravens. Coming out of college, pundits expected Boykin to potentially play a significant role for Baltimore early in Lamar Jackson’s career.
The Ravens drafted Boykin at No. 93 overall in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
But after two seasons, Boykin moved into a predominantly special teams role. Following his third campaign, the Ravens released the wideout.
The Steelers picked up Boykin for receiver depth and his special teams play. While he barely made an impact on offense in Pittsburgh, Boykin played 523 special teams snaps combined over the 2022 and 2023 campaigns.
In 2022, he made his greatest impact on the stat sheet, registering 10 combined tackles. Boykin had five combined tackles in 2023.
Boykin is retiring after two seasons on various practice squads. In 2024, he spent training camp with the New York Giants. The Giants cut Boykin, though, on roster cutdown day and then again from their practice squad before Week 1.
The Seattle Seahawks signed Boykin to their practice squad on September 18, 2024. He remained on the squad for the rest of the year.
Last year, Boykin was with the Bears during training camp. He signed with the Bears practice squad after the league’s cutdown day. Boykin stayed with Chicago until getting released in November.
He didn’t sign with another team.
Steelers Replaced Boykin With Ben Skowronek
Boykin was a solid special teams player. But after Boykin departed, the Steelers added one of the best special teams aces to replace him.
The past two years, Ben Skowronek has filled Boykin’s role as depth receiver and special teamer in Pittsburgh. During 2025, Skowronek made the Pro Bowl with 21 combined tackles and a fumble recovery.
He also had four receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown in 17 games.
Skowronek is signed for one more season in Pittsburgh. The Steelers could cut him this offseason and only incur a $540,000 cap hit. But even with a new special teams staff incoming, it’s all but certain Skowronek will return for the Steelers in 2026.