It’s not going to happen, not even after a handful of rumors.
Vikings Fans’ WR3 Dream Dies
Tyler Boyd will not sign with the Minnesota Vikings after all, instead joining the Tennessee Titans in 2024, according to ESPN.
Jeremy Fowler tweeted Tuesday, “Tyler Boyd is signing with the Titans, per source, on a one-year deal worth up to $4.5M A reunion with Brian Callahan.”
The Boyd signing hits amid a whirlwind of WR3 activity. In the last few days, DJ Chark became a Los Angeles Charger, Chase Claypool signed with the Buffalo Bills, and Odell Beckham slid down to Miami for a relationship with the Dolphins. If the Vikings want a WR3 from free agency, now is the time to strike, and the window might’ve already closed.
Vikings Centrala popular account on the X app, tweeted two days after the draft, “Sources: Vikings and free agent WR Tyler Boyd have mutual interest and negotiations are ongoing. Minnesota didn’t select a pass catcher in the draft and are looking to add a reliable weapon to go along with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.”
At the time, VikingsTerritory’s sources could not corroborate the team’s interest in Boyd, so the Titans move on Tuesday isn’t all the surprising. The man was a top WR3 candidate in the NFL’s marketplace, along with Hunter Renfrow.
The Titans WR corps now showcases these men for 2024:
- DeAndre Hopkins
- Calvin Ridley
- Tyler Boyd
- Treylon Burks
- Nick Ikhine-Westbrook
- Kyle Phillips
- Colton Dowell
- Kearis Jackson
- Mason Kinsey
- Jha’Quan Jackson
- Tre’Shaun Harrison
And like most NFL teams, that list will dwindle to five or six names late in August. Quietly, Tennessee employs a rather formidable receiving group, though it’s a bit old by most NFL teams’ standards.
Boyd has tabulated 513 career receptions for 6,000 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns in 120 games. He should fit wonderfully in the Titans’ offense led by second-year quarterback Will Levis. Tennessee controversially parted ways with Mike Vrabel after the 2023 season, and the aforementioned Brian Callahan is in charge.
If the regular season began today, the Vikings would showcase one of three contenders at WR3: Trent Sherfield, Brandon Powell, or Jalen Nailor. It’s also worth noting that tight end T.J. Hockenson, who serves as the club’s defacto WR3 per target load, is expected to miss the start of the regular season.
And should Minnesota decide it wants a free-agent WR3, the list is down to these options:
- Randall Cobb
- Russell Gage
- Marquise Goodwin
- Mecole Hardman
- Deonte Harty
- Julio Jones
- Zay Jones
- Hunter Renfrow
- Allen Robinson
- Sterling Shepard
- Michael Thomas
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Boyd will turn 30 in November.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.