Report: 49ers named potential suitor for veteran WR Tyler Boyd

Apr 3, 2024, 10:15 AM | Updated: 11:18 am

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: Tyler Boyd #83 of the Cincinnati Bengals catches a pass for a touchdown during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

The 49ers have been in the market for playmakers since Kyle Shanahan took over, now seemingly going after another weapon in Tyler Boyd.

A report emerged Tuesday from The Athletic that the San Francisco 49ers are one of many potential suitors for the former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver. The notion was mentioned in a Pittsburgh Steelers-centric mailbag, answering a reader’s question regarding The Steel City. SF was listed alongside several other contenders in the NFL, stating all teams had at least preliminary interest in the player.

Senior Steelers writer for The Athletic, Mark Kaboly, reported the news Tuesday.

“I would say that it would be a long shot, at best, that the two sides come together. 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 initially said on the Tyler Boyd front. “Boyd has at least had preliminary interest from the Chiefs, Chargers, Dolphins, Lions and 49ers. I am pretty sure the ship with the Steelers has sailed.”

The #49ers are reportedly one of several teams with preliminary interest in FA WR Tyler Boyd, per @MarkKaboly pic.twitter.com/qKwKX3gM05

— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) April 2, 2024

Tyler Boyd, 29, has had an extremely consistent career since being drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Playing eight seasons with the Bengals, Boyd has amassed 6,000 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns on 513 receptions in his career. His best statistic year came in 2019, posting 1,046 yards on a whopping 148 targets. Between 2019 and 2019, the University of Pittsburgh alum recorded more than 2,000 yards receiving, 166 catches and 12 scores.

The 49ers were listed amongst several other contenders for Boyd’s services. Those teams include NFC contender Detroit Lions, and Super Bowl LVIII champion, Kansas City Chiefs.

Tyler Boyd has excelled in his role as slot receiver for coach Zac Taylor and Cincinnati. While he’s served as the third banana on the depth chart, behind Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the steady wideout is possibly interested in an expanded role elsewhere entering his ninth season.

Whether or not the 49ers end up signing Boyd will come will due time. But at the very least, SF is in the market for another pass-catcher.