The Pittsburgh Steelers were losers in Week 3 to the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field. The loss marked the second straight loss to Cincinnati dating back to the Monday Night Football loss in Cincinnati last season. In this divisional rivalry, it has been rather one-sided, so don’t mind the Bengals if they want to celebrate the win.
And by celebrate, I mean run their mouth to the media about the win and slander the Steelers in the process.
In that celebration, Tyler Boyd, the former University of Pittsburgh product, didn’t hold back when talking about the Steelers. Boyd talked about how the Steelers gave up in the fourth quarter.
Tyler Boyd says the Bengals made the Steelers give up yesterday.
“For a team to lay down like that before the game is over…They portrayed it to the whole nation on TV in how they gave up.”
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) September 27, 2021
To read Boyd’s full comments see what Paul Dehner Jr. posted on his verified Twitter page below:
Tyler Boyd was asked if he felt the message was sent after the game that the Steelers were looking at a different #Bengals team than in the past.
His full answer here shows he wasn’t interested in being shy on the topic or hesitant to fan the flames of an old rivalry. pic.twitter.com/9xrmlfV0w9
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) September 27, 2021
When it comes to Boyd’s comments, there is no deciphering needed. Boyd made it clear the Bengals felt the Steelers completely gave up and quit in the waning moments of the game. Say what you want, but the Bengals were the team who got the last laugh. What someone might want to remind Boyd is how the Bengals still have to play the Steelers another time in this 2021 regular season.
Boyd didn’t just talk about the Steelers’ effort at the end of the game, he also spoke about former Steelers defensive back Mike Hilton being a motivating factor in the Bengals’ success Sunday.
Boyd said Hilton claimed the Steelers didn’t value him, and gave two motivational speeches before the AFC North showdown at Heinz Field.
Tyler Boyd says Mike Hilton said he didn’t feel valued by the Steelers. Boyd says Hilton spoke to the team twice… Friday and at the hotel in Pittsburgh. Says the team fed off his emotion.
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) September 27, 2021
The Steelers always utilized the option available to them with Hilton through the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). He was an Exclusive Rights Free Agent (ERFA) and a Restricted Free Agent (RFA), but never garnered the long term deal he wanted while in Pittsburgh.
Hilton clearly took this personally, and used it to motivate himself and his new teammates entering the Week 3 game.
Boyd said plenty, but with a lot of games left only time will tell if Boyd will regret those comments by season’s end.
Be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black and gold as they prepare for the remainder of the 2021 regular season.
