PITTSBURGH — The grind is officially over for Miles Boykin. After a seven-year NFL journey that took him from a promising target for Lamar Jackson to a special teams enforcer in Pittsburgh, the 29-year-old wide receiver announced his retirement on Wednesday. Boykin’s decision comes just months after a brief, quiet stint on the Chicago Bears’ practice squad ended his 2025 campaign.
The Final Whistle
Boykin didn’t wait for the offseason market to dictate his future. Writing on Instagram, the former Notre Dame standout closed the book on a career that saw him play 73 games across three franchises. His exit was graceful but final, acknowledging the reality of a league that had slowly transitioned him from an offensive weapon to a roster-bubble grinder.
“I’m beyond grateful for the sport of football… This sport has taught me so many lessons, and I don’t know where I would be without it! I’m excited for this new chapter in my life and can’t wait to see where it takes me!” — Miles Boykin via Instagram
From 3rd Round Pick to Special Teams Ace
Boykin entered the league with massive expectations. The Baltimore Ravens snagged him at No. 93 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, hoping his 6-foot-4 frame would pair perfectly with a young Lamar Jackson. Early on, it looked like a match; he grabbed seven touchdowns in his first two seasons. But as the Ravens’ offense evolved, Boykin’s targets evaporated, leading to his release after 2021.
That’s when Pittsburgh scooped him up, not for his hands, but for his hustle. From 2022 to 2023, Boykin reinvented himself as a special teams demon for the Steelers. He barely touched the ball on offense—logging just five catches for 28 yards over two seasons—but he became a fixture in the “third phase” of the game. He racked up 15 combined tackles and played over 500 snaps on special teams, doing the dirty work that rarely makes headlines but keeps players employed.
The Skowronek Era Begins
The Steelers, known for churning out special teams talent, wasted no time filling the void Boykin left. Enter Ben Skowronek. If Boykin was a solid contributor, Skowronek has been a revelation. Stepping into Boykin’s role as the depth receiver and gunner, Skowronek didn’t just participate in 2025—he dominated.
Skowronek earned a Pro Bowl nod this past season, tallying a staggering 21 combined tackles and a fumble recovery. He even chipped in offensively with a touchdown, proving to be an upgrade in the hybrid role Boykin once occupied. With Skowronek under contract for 2026 and playing at an elite level, Pittsburgh’s special teams unit looks more dangerous than ever.
What’s Next for Boykin?
Boykin retires with 38 career receptions, 498 yards, and 7 touchdowns. While he never became the WR1 many envisioned on draft night in 2019, surviving seven years in the NFL attrition machine is no small feat. He leaves the game healthy and ready for a “new chapter,” while the Steelers march forward with a new special teams ace firmly in place.
