The Minnesota Vikings still have questions at wide receiver after Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison — fueling rumors of a potential signing of veteran Tyler Boyd.
In response to the speculation that Boyd has been contacted, Darren Wolfson of KSTP stated that, based on his sources, no discussions have occurred with the Vikings.
Wolfson did not rule out the possibility that the Vikings will try to sign the seasoned wide receiver later in the summer.
In answer to a fan on X (previously Twitter), Wolfson stated, “Maybe eventually,” but he also stated that for the time being, any talk of contract negotiations is “negative.”
Boyd, a second-round selection of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2016, was awarded a $43 million, four-year contract extension in 2019 follows a breakthrough season in 2018 in which he scored seven touchdowns and topped 1,000 receiving yards. With an 84.2 receiving grade that season, he was Pro Football Focus’s (PFF) 11th-highest graded receiver.
Boyd has remained in the same capacity even after Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase came to prominence. Over the previous three seasons, he has averaged 67 receptions and 752.3 yards receiving.
According to PFF, he will sign a two-year, $16.5 million contract, which will set him back $8.25 million annually in free agency.
“Boyd is a large slot receiver with strong run-game blocking abilities. According to PFF’s free-agency assessment, “He almost never drops a target and performs well to sit down in soft spots of zones on key passing downs.” But Boyd uploaded
Several career-low results in 2023, and Cincinnati’s other major financial decisions may prevent the Bengals from making the same offer as other teams hoping to improve their middle line.
For the first time in six years, the Vikings have a new starting quarterback as they usher in a new era. Kirk Cousins’ departure has saved cap space, allowing for the signing of priority free agents at a number of positions.
Boyd can still be signed, and if an extension is reached, Jefferson will become the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL. For the Vikings, who would have entered the final year of Jefferson’s contract by the time Boyd’s contract expires in 2026, a two-year deal would be appropriate.
Meanwhile, Addison would be poised for an extension as well. Supporting two elite wide receivers is the same dilemma the Bengals found themselves in this offseason with extensions talks pending with Chase and Higgins.
Boyd was made the odd-man-out in Cincinnati, but in Minnesota, he could receive one more lucrative extension in the twilight of his career before Addison is eligible for an extension.
Following K.J. Osborn’s free agency signing and his $4 million, one-year contract with the New England Patriots in March, a WR3 is now needed.
While Jefferson missed seven games in 2023, the Vikings still have Brandon Powell, who stepped in excellently; nonetheless, Boyd’s size and ability to block runs would make him an upgrade.
In addition, Jordan “Speedy” Nailor, who is about to begin his third season of play, has not yet proven to be a dependable weapon in the offense.
N’Keal Harry, Lucky Jackson, and Trishton Jackson are the only other players who saw action in 2023.
