Brandon Boykin to Steelers: Latest Trade Details, Comments and Reaction

The Pittsburgh Steelers strengthened their secondary on Saturday with the acquisition of Brandon Boykin from the Philadelphia Eagles, who will receive a 2016 conditional fifth-round draft pick in return.

According to Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com, the pick can become a fourth-rounder if Boykin "plays 60 percent of plays."

Boykin thanked Eagles fans for their support over the years, but he also commented on Eagles head coach Chip Kelly, courtesy of Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com:

“[Kelly] can't relate and that makes him uncomfortable,” Boykin said in a text message to Comcast SportsNet's Derrick Gunn, per Mosher. "He likes total control of everything, and he don't like to be uncomfortable. Players excel when you let them naturally be who they are, and in my experience that hasn't been important to him, but you guys have heard this before me."

Boykin later clarified his comments, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler: "When you're a player, you want to be able to relate to your coach off the field. There were times he just didn't talk to people. ... I'm not saying he's a racist in any way." 

Kelly responded to Boykin's initial comments and explained the Steelers have been pursuing Boykin for months, according to Frank, Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson and NFL Network's Albert Breer:

Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report also had an interesting remark about how the move is being perceived:

He spent the last three seasons in Philadelphia, picking up 108 total tackles and seven interceptions in 48 regular-season games. Bleacher Report's Cian Fahey was surprised at how little Philadelphia's asking price was for Boykin, given his performance:

"

The NFL reaaaaaaaaallllllyyyy doesn't value Boykin the way outside media does. A fifth is so little.

— Cian Fahey (@Cianaf) August 2, 2015"

Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News reported Boykin is excited to start over with a team that wants him on its roster.

Despite playing well as a slot cornerback, the 25-year-old couldn't break through and earn a regular starting role in Philly. He made just six starts between 2012 and 2014.

In early June, Boykin discussed his place in the Eagles' defensive hierarchy and said Kelly planned on giving him more responsibility in 2015, per Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer:

"

Everybody knows it's the last year of my contract, and [Kelly] said, 'I'm looking for you to compete for that outside spot.' So that's what he said. He's the coach, he's a man of his word and I'm going to hold him accountable to that just like he does us.

I'm going to go out there and ball and do what I'm supposed to do and then once camp hits we'll see who outperforms whoever.

"

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport tweeted Philadelphia had been looking to deal Boykin for a while:

While Boykin will have to start fresh with the Steelers, a change of scenery might be the best thing for his career. With a clean slate, he has a great chance to see the field much more next season.

Even if the draft pick turns into a fourth-rounder, Pittsburgh didn't overpay for a player who is almost certain to become a starting corner. Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette noted how much of an upgrade Boykin represents over last year's options:

The secondary was a major concern for the Steelers in 2014 after they finished 30th in pass defense, according to Football Outsiders. They drafted Senquez Golson and Doran Grant in the spring, but Boykin is a proven NFL talent who should immediately help turn the unit around in 2015.