Star wide receiver coveted by Pittsburgh Steelers signs with AFC rival

Tee Higgins, DK Metcalf, and Brandon Aiyuk have been popular names in the Steelers’ trade market. The Steelers’ only major wide receiver pickup this offseason was Michigan standout Roman Wilson, whom they took in the third round of the draft.

It was reported earlier in the offseason the Steelers were negotiating with former Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tyler Boyd. However, Boyd’s asking price was too high for general manager Omar Khan to pay. Their rival, the Tennessee Titans, was able to snag Boyd for under $5 million. (Per Over The Cap, the Steelers have over $18 million in cap space left for the 2024 season.)

Tyler Boyd signs with the Tennessee Titans

According to Jeremy Fowler with ESPN, Boyd is signing with the Titans on a one-year deal worth up to $4.5 million. Boyd will play under his former offensive coordinator with the Bengals, Brian Callahan. Callahan is in his first season as the head coach of the Titans.

The Titans will have one of the most talented receiver groups on paper in the AFC for the 2024 season. Second-year quarterback Will Levis will throw to DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, Treylon Burks, and Boyd.

The Bengals drafted Boyd in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. In his eight-year career, he has 513 receptions for 6,000 yards and 31 touchdowns. Last season, he caught 54 passes for 603 yards and one touchdown.

While the Titans improved their pass-catching for the upcoming season, the Steelers have a ways to go at the position if they want to make the most of quarterback Russell Wilson’s playing time on the veteran minimum. One wonders why the Steelers couldn’t get Boyd to agree to a deal closer to $5 million for his services this fall.