Steelers reportedly in stalemate with free-agent WR

The Steelers have been in the market for a wide receiver since trading Diontae Johnson to the Panthers. They have reportedly come close to signing one of the top free agents, but things have changed.

According to The Athletic's Mark Kaboly, Pittsburgh is in a stalemate with former Cincinnati Bengals wideout Tyler Boyd.

"They're trying to wait out Tyler Boyd," Kaboly said on "The Fan Morning Show" on 93.7 The Fan. "I'm not quite sure how that's going to end up going down here. I know that he wants to get paid more than they're offering him."

Boyd is the fan favorite to help fill the void left by Johnson. He grew up in Clairton, Pa., and played collegiate ball at the University of Pittsburgh. 

Last week, Kaboly revealed that Pittsburgh and Boyd have a "mutual interest" as well. On Monday, he shared, "Some people (not all) inside Steelers are not 100% on board with signing Boyd."

The turn of events caught many people off guard, but if he's overvaluing himself over a week after the start of free agency, that's the problem.

However, 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. 

So, the Steelers must decide how long they will wait Boyd out until they look elsewhere. They must add to their wide receiver room, which is quite thin after George Pickens, sooner rather than later.

Pittsburgh has also been rumored to be in the trade market for a wide receiver. The team has been linked to 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk and Commanders' Terry McLaurin, but both players will prove costly to acquire.

Adding Boyd won't prevent the Steelers from drafting another playmaker in the 2024 NFL Draft, which is rich with wide receiver talent. But it will allow them to use their higher draft capital on other positions of need, such as center and right tackle.

Only time will tell how the Boyd situation will play out, but if Pittsburgh cannot land him, it will be in a tough spot with several positions of need following the bulk of free agency.