Steelers Have Serious Competition From Chiefs And Some Surprising "Dark Horse" Contenders For WR Tyler Boyd

The Pittsburgh Steelers' front office is busy retooling their anemic offense this offseason. They have already worked out a deal with Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson, who will come in and provide real competition for Kenny Pickett. One of them will have the opportunity to start Week 1 in new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith's system.  

For either one to be effective, Head Coach Mike Tomlin and General Manager Omar Khan have to surround them with weapons, and the biggest need there is wide receiver. The Steelers are fairly well set with their running back tandem of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, along with tight end Pat Freiermuth. However, they recently traded Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, leaving George Pickens as their only true starting receiver. 

It seems likely that the team will add a receiver or two during the 2024 NFL Draft, but it would make sense for them to also pick up one that has experience. As free agency began heating up and the Steelers started making a few moves, speculation began regarding them getting a veteran wide receiver. One name that has come up frequently is Tyler Boyd from the Cincinnati Bengals. But now, longtime Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly from The Athletic, has posted that the Steelers have competition for Boyd. 

"Biggest hurdle in Tyler Boyd to Steelers conversation are the [Kansas City] Chiefs with dark horse being the [New York] Jets," said Kaboly on X.

Boyd to Pittsburgh makes a lot of sense. He is from the area and played college football for Pitt. Kaboly was also the one who originally reported that conversations were taking place. Despite Boyd playing for the enemy since being drafted by the Bengals in 2016, Steelers fans have wanted him to come home for years. According to Kaboly, it makes a lot of sense with Johnson having left and a young Pickens now being the most veteran receiver on the team. 

It is not a surprise that the Kansas City Chiefs would be interested in Boyd. They won the Super Bowl last season, but need to improve their weaponry for Patrick Mahomes. The New York Jets are in a more interesting situation, considering the future of quarterback Aaron Rodgers is uncertain. Rumors have swirled lately that Rodgers, who is coming off an Achilles injury, is being considered as a running mate for possible presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  

Boyd would be an asset to almost any team. During his eight seasons in the NFL, he's played in 120 games. He had 67 catches in 2023 for 667 yards and two touchdowns. The 29-year-old has been reliable during his time in the league and has played first, second, and third option receiver during his time with the Bengals. While his best seasons came early in his career in 2018 and 2019 (he was able to rack up more than 1,000 yards each season), he would bring some needed stability to the wide receivers room. 

Steelers Need A Role Model For George Pickens

Pickens and Johnson took a lot of heat over the past couple of years from fans, despite their immense talent. It resulted in the two players being labeled as emotional and even immature. There have been displays of aggravation and pouting from both regarding playing time and targets. At one point, Johnson almost came to blows with teammate Minkah Fitzpatrick and the two had to be separated.  

In 2023, Pickens even took to social media to make comments about not providing blocking for Warren, which made him seem like he was not a team-first player. He has also reportedly amassed more than $200,000 in fines as a result of his antics. 

The Steelers have reportedly been strategic in their hiring of coaches, with consideration being given to providing those receivers with a firm hand. Smith is known to run a tight ship, but they also hired a new Wide Receivers Coach Zach Azzanni to help with that young receiving corps. 

Boyd would be a valuable asset to the Steelers, not only in terms of production, but also as a leader on this very young offense. The lack of leadership was something that was repeatedly brought up in 2023 as the team struggled on that side of the ball. They just had no clear identity. 

What do you think about the potential Boyd signing? Click to comment below. 

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