Why the Bengals Will Miss Tyler Boyd In 2024
Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Tyler Boyd quietly spent the past eight seasons providing a steady pair of hands for the Cincinnati Bengals. More than that, he was a leader who rarely ever wanted the spotlight — which is a rare thing when it comes to wide receivers. Perhaps it’s the fact that they spend so much time going one-on-one with defensive backs but wideouts are often the most outspoken players on the team. That wasn’t the case with Boyd, who let his play do the talking.
A second-round pick out of Pitt in 2016, Boyd signed with the Tennessee Titans this offseason. He ends his tenure in Cincinnati with 513 receptions for 6,000 yards and 31 touchdowns. As a show of incredible selflessness, Boyd topped 1,000 yards in both 2018 and 2019 but then had no problem taking a backseat to Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase. They were often referred to as the best trio in the league over the past few seasons, but it was typically Chase and Higgins cited as the reasons for their dominance. Boyd was often overlooked.
Boyd didn’t let it impact his approach when he went from the No. 1 wideout in the offense to the third option. He didn’t complain when they moved him to the slot but instead, simply worked at his craft and continued to deliver when called upon. That was the case again in 2023, when he was second on the team in receptions behind Chase. With Higgins missing five games, the ever-reliable slot receiver had 67 receptions for 667 yards and two touchdowns.
The key for him was always remaining unselfish, and he’s taking that same approach with the Titans, where he finds himself in a familiar situation. Not only is he working with a young quarterback once again in Will Levis, but Boyd is surrounded by top-tier wideouts who are playing on expensive contracts.
Tennessee signed DeAndre Hopkins in 2023 and he put up 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns on 75 receptions. He’ll be joined by Calvin Ridley this year after he landed a four-year deal worth $92 million. Ridley is coming off his second 1,000-yard campaign after gaining 1,016 yards on 76 receptions for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He and Hopkins will line up on the outside with Boyd in the middle. Again, Boyd sees this as a win as he spoke with Sirus XM NFL Radio and explained his approach.
“Coming here with Ridley and Hop, I’m kind of familiar with being in a room full of playmakers. You know, guys that can just go out there and flat-out play. But I think the most important thing for the whole group is just to be unselfish. Guys making it more a family thing and not just being selfish.”
He’s also got familiarity with head coach Brian Callahan, who was his offensive coordinator with the Bengals. Boyd is also displaying his leadership by helping to teach the offense to the rest of the team. While speaking with reporters, he called his presence a “win-win” since he can “navigate guys on the field.”
It might not sound like much but Cincinnati knows Boyd doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks it as well. That selfless approach will be missed even more than his production on the field as they head into the unknown.
Cincinnati was able to keep Tee Higgins for at least this season, which wasn’t always a guarantee. That means their offense will still be dangerous with their two star receivers and they added a rookie who could be an issue for opposing defenses.
Jermaine Burton was selected at No. 80 in the third round of the NFL Draft. He played for two elite programs, spending two years with the Georgia Bulldogs and two more with the Alabama Crimson Tide. Burton is a burner who averaged 20.5 yards per reception last year, but he’s going to have some big, but unassuming shoes to fill. Perhaps he can do that on the stat sheet but there’s no way the Bengals are going to be able to replace the leadership Boyd brought to the huddle and practice field.
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