Insider says 'ship has sailed' on Steelers signing top free-agent WR

The Steelers have been in the market for a wide receiver since trading Diontae Johnson to the Panthers earlier this offseason. They have reportedly come close to signing one of the top playmakers on the open market, but that is no longer the case.

Pittsburgh and former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd have had "mutual interest" for much of the offseason, but The Athletic's Mark Kaboly says things have taken a turn for the worst.

"I am pretty sure the ship with the Steelers has sailed," Kaboly wrote. 

Boyd seemed to be a fan favorite as he grew up in Clairton, Pa., and played collegiate ball at the University of Pittsburgh. So, what went wrong?

"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," Kaboly added.

The belief was that the two sides were in a "stalemate," but the more time passed, the more it looked like neither was going to budge.

It's not the news fans were hoping to hear as Boyd 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. 

The Steelers will now have to likely address the position in the 2024 NFL Draft, which luckily for them, is rich with wide receiver talent. Plus, there has been no other team better at drafting wide receivers outside of the first round than Pittsburgh.

Still, it is a loss for Pittsburgh after what has been an exciting offseason thus far. The Steelers will now head into the draft with several holes still to fill when they could have addressed one if they were willing to spend a little more money.

What number Boyd was hoping to receive is unknown, but the Steelers aren't the only team that has been interested in the 29-year-old and passed, at least so far. 

Kaboly said the Chiefs, Chargers, Dolphins, Lions and 49ers have also had "at least preliminary interest" in Boyd.