Everyone in the NFL world knows the Pittsburgh Steelers have a problem with their receiver position. It could lead to a free agent addition or trade acquisition to solve their issues if Roman Wilson or Calvin Austin III don't step up. Tyler Boyd showed his desperation to land a job for this upcoming NFL campaign with his recent comments. He has been begging the Steelers for a shot.
The veteran receiver spoke to Austin Bechtold of Pittsburgh Sports Now during Boyd's annual youth football camp. A once-promising receiver in the league is now doing his best to find a job in Pittsburgh.
"Absolutely," Boyd responded when asked if he'd like to join the Steelers. "You know, all my family is here. I'd be able to have the majority, all of my family, be able to support me."
His career has begun to plummet over the past season. Many thought he might've signed with the Steelers last year during free agency, but nothing materialized. Stories emerged about many leaders within Pittsburgh's locker room who didn't like Boyd. Perhaps the veteran receiver rubbed some people within the organization the wrong way after years of playing for the Cincinnati Bengals.
It would be shocking to see Boyd join the Steelers for a variety of reasons, but it hasn't stopped the free agent from speaking out about his interest in joining his hometown team.
Pittsburgh Steelers would extend their problem by signing Tyler Boyd as a free agent
Boyd played college football at the University of Pittsburgh after being one of the best recruits to emerge from Western Pennsylvania. He produced a star-studded career at Pitt before entering the NFL draft. He was selected in the second round by the Bengals in the 2016 NFL Draft. He became troublesome against the Steelers during his eight years in Cincinnati.
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The receiver's connections to Pittsburgh are strong, and he hopes that it could lead to another opportunity in the NFL. He knows Head Coach Mike Tomlin well, stretching back to his collegiate career. Pitt shares a facility with the Steelers, and it allowed Boyd to create connections within the organization.
"I'm real cool with (head coach Mike) Tomlin. He's always been a good person. ... When I was at Pitt, we had a good relationship. After practice, I'd walk over there and talk to AB (Antonio Brown) and those guys, talk to Tomlin, just pick at different things where I could get better and get a feel of some guidance. He was always a great guy, and we always spoke. I think we had a great friendship.
Boyd laid everything out on the line to try and find a contract with the Steelers, but it doesn't make sense. If there is a problem with leadership within the locker room for Pittsburgh, this potential free-agent addition is a dud. They don't need any locker room distractions, especially after they moved on from George Pickens and other toxic personalities in recent years. Adding Boyd would make things worse.
Boyd didn't cement himself to Pittsburgh, "but I mean, if it happens, it happens. If not, it is what it is."
It would be unwise for the free agent receiver to only put his neck on the line to try and sign with the Steelers. He is on the decline and wouldn't be a clear upgrade over Wilson or Austin if he signed with the club. He must earn everything he gets from here on out. With his prior history of issues against the Steelers, it would be surprising to see the former star player land with Pittsburgh.