Category: Steelers rumors

Steelers insider forecasts ‘ship has sailed’ on Tyler Boyd acquisition

It’s all but official that free agent WR Tyler Boyd won’t be joining the Steelers in 2024.

The thrilling first wave of NFL free agency came in and left like the wind, and it was an unprecedented one for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The critical component the Steelers are still missing offensively — aside from a starting-caliber center — is at wide receiver. If general manager Omar Khan had a plan when they jettisoned Diontae Johnson, it hasn’t yet come to fruition. Even combined, Quez Watkins and Van Jefferson are not of Johnson’s talent level.

At one point early in free agency, the Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tyler Boyd expressed mutual interest. But according to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic, that ship has sailed. It appears it could be because of a low-ball offer.

“I would say that it would be a long shot, at best, that the two sides come together,” Kaboly wrote in a recent Steelers mailbag. “From what I have been told, Boyd was extremely interested in Pittsburgh at the beginning of the free-agency process, but the offer wasn’t something he was comfortable with. Boyd has at least had preliminary interest from the Chiefs, Chargers, Dolphins, Lions and 49ers. I am pretty sure the ship with the Steelers has sailed.”

Anything can still happen, but Boyd has plenty of potential suitors, decreasing the liklihood he’s wearing the black and gold in 2024.

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No, the Steelers are not trading for Vikings WR Justin Jefferson

Rumor has it the Vikings are listening to trade offers to wide receiver Justin Jefferson and, of course, Steelers fans want him.

As former Cleveland Browns general manager Michael Lombardi (and others) likes to say, it’s NFL lying season. Coaches and general managers blow smoke or outright lie to throw off the scent of their true intentions.

Today it’s the Minnesota Vikings are listening to offers for star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, per Pioneer Press’ Charley Walters (subscription). And, of course, like any player who even remotely sounds like he could be on the market — Pittsburgh Steelers fans want him.

That’s nice and all, but it’s not going to happen. The return the Vikings would demand — if there is, in fact, “steam” — is beyond what the Steelers would ever do. Multiple picks, present and future, and perhaps a player — too rich for Pittsburgh’s blood. Not to mention, who is going to throw to Justin Jefferson? Right… Justin Fields.

A receiver, as dynamic as Jefferson is, is the least of the Steelers’ worries.

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