Wide receiver Tyler Boyd wasn’t always a bright spot for the Bengals.
In 2017, Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd’s second season in the NFL, he was hit with a surprise benching from head coach Marvin Lewis. The reason was never clear to why Boyd was benched. Boyd had this to say after he was benched “Every day I go out there to prove myself, just go out there and compete. That’s the type of guy I am.”
Boyd would end up playing in 10 games with one start. The Bengals were not stacked at WR and there was no room for Boyd. Cincinnati had Josh Malone, Brandon LaFell, and A.J. Green starting at WR and who knows how many games Boyd would have even suited up for if Cincinnati’s first-round pick, John Ross didn’t get injured.
Boyd would finish his second season with only 22 receptions for 225 yards.
Boyd wanted to prove himself
Boyd made sure that Cincinnati wouldn’t even think about benching him again. In the third game of the 2018 season against the Carolina Panthers, Boyd would have his first ever 100 plus yard performance. He would finish the game with 132 yards. In the next game against the Atlanta Falcons, Boyd would continue to impress.
Boyd had his first double-digit reception game with 11 catches. Along with the 11 receptions, Boyd finished 100-yards to hit the century mark for the second time. Boyd ended the 2018 season by joining the 1,000-yard club. Boyd would finish the 2018 season with 1,028 receiving yards, 76 receptions, and seven touchdowns.
The league leader in receptions from the slot: @boutdat_23🎰
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 10, 2020
RT #ProBowlVote + Tyler Boyd pic.twitter.com/YBF7pP0QGL
Boyd has become one of the leagues best WRs
After Boyd joined the 1,000 yard receiving club for the first time in 2018, he has wanted to make his name a familiar one when people look at the 1,000 yard milestone every year. Boyd finished the 2019 season with over 1,000 yards., Boyd recorded 1,046 receiving yards, 90 receptions, and five TDs in 2019
Boyd is continuing to shine in 2020
Twelve games into the 2020 season Boyd is on pace to join the 1,000-yard club again. Boyd has 73 receptions for 797 yards and four TDs. With only four games left in the season, Boyd will need 203 more yards to reach 1,000. Boyd will attempt to reach 1,000 yards without his rookie of the year candidate, Joe Burrow.
Boyd has become one of Burrow’s favorite targets. Over the 10 games they were able to play together they have built great chemistry. Burrow knows where Boyd is going to be and Boyd knows where Joe wants him to be, which is why whenever Cincinnati needs a big play, Boyd is always Burrow’s first check.
If what we have seen from Burrow and Boyd this year continues, then this will be a duo that defensive coordinates won’t want to plan for, for years to come.