Former Pitt wide receiver and Clairton product Tyler Boyd will officially suit up for a team other than the Cincinnati Bengals for the first time in his career.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Boyd is signing a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans that is worth up to $4.5 million.
It has been a long offseason for Boyd with many teams in pursuit of the reliable pass catcher, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, but after a free agent visit last week, the 29-year-old decided to land with the Titans.
Boyd, who stands at 6-foot-2, 203-pounds, spent the first eight seasons of his professional career with the Bengals as he hauled in 513 receptions — 4th-most in Bengals history — for 6,000 yards and 31 touchdowns. In 2018 and 2019, Boyd surpassed 1,000 receiving yards.
Boyd was an important piece to the Bengals’ Super Bowl appearance during the 2021 season. In Super Bowl LVI, Boyd caught five passes for 48 yards.
During his time with Cincinnati, Boyd was oftentimes situated in the slot and was surrounded by other star receivers like A.J. Green, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
That will also be the case in Tennessee with a wide receiver room that already boasts Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins and 2022 first-round pick Treylon Burks.
The signing will also reunite Boyd with former Cincinnati offensive coordinator, Brian Callahan, who was with the Bengals in 2019.
Boyd’s NFL career began after being selected in the second round at pick 55 by the Bengals out of the University of Pittsburgh.
In three seasons at Pitt, Boyd became the school’s all-time receptions and receiving yards leader. He recorded 254 receptions and 3,361 yards to go along with 21 receiving touchdowns — tied for sixth in program history.
His freshman campaign in 2013 saw him rack up 85 receptions, 1,174 yards and seven touchdowns and was followed by a sophomore campaign where he registered 1,261 receiving yards on 78 receptions as he caught eight touchdowns. Both seasons produced first-team All-ACC honors for the wide out.
During his junior season, he received a second-team All-ACC nod thanks to 926 receiving yards and six touchdowns, along with 294 rushing yards.
Boyd recently joined the WPIAL Hall of Fame after being inducted with the Class of 2024.
From 2009-12, Boyd shined with the Clairton Bears, leading his team to a 63-1 record from 2009-12 and winning four straight WPIAL and PIAA Class 1A Titles.
Upon graduating, Boyd held the record for most touchdowns in WPIAL history with 117 and ranked fifth in rushing yards, 5,755.
He earned a selection to play in the 2013 U.S. Army All-American Bowl and his performance in the Big 33 Classic, where he scored five touchdowns and scored on a kick return, run, two catches and a pass, earned him MVP honors.
He should fire his agent. It was reported the Steelers offered 2 years at 10 million. Not a good business decision.
He must really hate the Steelers to turn down more years and more money per year.
He made the right choice. It is not like playing at Pitt again. If you are a Steeler and if things do not go right have these psychos will turn on you. The way the fans treated Kenny Pickett here you would have to be an idiot playing for the cult. Most of these people judging these players so harshly can not even button their pants from all the hoagies and beer they have consumed.
Question. Who is playing QB in Tennessee? Not Russ Wilson.
I’m a PITT guy. Please explain how Kenny deserved a lot of respect from Steeler fans. He didnt shine, then bailed, didn’t want to compete.
If Mr. Boyd thinks it’s worth giving up 5 million dollars to play outside of Pittsburgh then he’s crazy. 5 million dollars.
Tyler made an expensive mistake. H2P
” It was reported,” is the key phrase. He didn’t give up anything. He and his agent know more than you.