Tyler Boyd. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers must make no-brainer WR addition before it's too late

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 3/21/24

The Steelers have been very active in free agency, but they still have a glaring hole at wide receiver after trading Diontae Johnson to the Panthers.

Some top free-agent wide receivers like Mike Williams and Marquise Brown have been taken off the open market over the past week. However, a receiver is still available and would be a no-brainer addition for Pittsburgh.

The Steelers must make a play for former Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd before another team steals him away. Boyd grew up in Clairton, Pa., and played collegiate ball at the University of Pittsburgh.

Last week, The Athletic's Mark Kaboly revealed that Pittsburgh and Boyd have "mutual interest" and have had dialogue about him returning to his hometown, but added there is "nothing imminent."

Well, it's starting to feel like if the Steelers wanted to sign Boyd, they would have already. Kaboly revealed what the holdup is on Monday.

Some people (not all) inside Steelers not 100% on board with signing Tyler Boyd. There is still time to work things and everything is still on the table but it doesn't appear anywhere close to a sure thing like it appeared to be a week ago at this time.
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) March 18, 2024

Why anyone in Pittsburgh wouldn't support adding Boyd is a head-scratcher. The wide receiver room is quite thin with the likes of George Pickens, Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III.

The 29-year-old has been one of the most reliable wide receivers in the league, posting at least 50 catches and 650 receiving yards in the last six seasons.

Boyd may not be the same player he was when he was drafted by Cincinnati in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, but he has proven to still have good football left in him.

Plus, he would likely come at a cheap price and the Steelers have plenty of salary-cap space with a projected $15.65 million, per Over the Cap.

Pittsburgh signed quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year, $1.21 million contract for one reason — to win a championship. The quarterback room will never be cheaper for the team, which must take advantage of the extra spending money.

The Steelers could still trade for a veteran wide receiver or add a rookie in the 2024 NFL Draft, but they would be wise to still add a capable veteran like Boyd in free agency as well. Time and options are running out.

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