By Sunday 
As the Pittsburgh Steelers gear up for training camp, one familiar name is making waves in the Steel City — and not just for nostalgic reasons. Tyler Boyd, the Pittsburgh native and former Pitt standout, has officially received a contract offer from the team he grew up around. But will sentiment alone be enough to seal the deal?
A Hometown Hopeful
For Boyd, the appeal of donning black and gold goes beyond football.
“Absolutely,” he told Pittsburgh Sports Now during his youth camp. “You know, all my family is here. I’d be able to have the majority of them be able to support me.”
The veteran wide receiver has spent eight solid seasons in the NFL, most notably with the Bengals, where he racked up over 6,000 yards and 31 touchdowns across 513 receptions. While never the top dog on the depth chart, Boyd consistently delivered in supporting roles — a perfect résumé for a team in need of experienced depth.
The Steelers’ Wide Receiver Conundrum
The Steelers’ WR room currently hinges on D.K. Metcalf, but the depth behind him raises eyebrows. Pittsburgh’s offense is still searching for a reliable No. 2, and Boyd, with his postseason experience and proven production in the slot, could be a solid stabilizer.
Insider Mark Kaboly reported on 93.7 The Fan that “The Steelers did offer him,” though the hang-up seems to be the dollars. As Kaboly noted, “Money is not there for him to make a decision — not only with the Steelers, but across the league.”
Translation? Boyd may be looking for more than the veteran minimum that Pittsburgh (and other suitors) appear willing to pay.
A Relationship Years in the Making
Boyd’s bond with head coach Mike Tomlin isn’t just transactional — it’s rooted in shared Pittsburgh roots and mutual respect.
“I’m real cool with Tomlin,” Boyd said. “He’s always been a good person… When I was at Pitt, we had a good relationship… I think we had a great friendship.”
It’s not every day that a potential signee talks about walking across practice fields to chat with Antonio Brown and pick the brain of Mike Tomlin. That kind of history carries weight — especially when you’re a free agent without a clear-cut path forward.
The Bottom Line
If the Steelers are serious about plugging holes at receiver without breaking the bank, Boyd might be the right fit — if both sides can agree on terms. For Boyd, it would be a homecoming. For Pittsburgh, it could be low-risk insurance with high-reward upside.
As the saying goes: Sometimes the best additions are the ones already rooted at home.