Brandon Boykin, Panthers sign one-year contract

Former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Brandon Boykin is no longer a free agent. The 25-year-old defensive back signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers, according to an official announcement from the team.

The Panthers are Boykin's third team within the period of a year. Philadelphia traded Boykin to the Steelers last offseason for a conditional pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. That selection ended up being a fifth round pick because Pittsburgh used Boykin on less than 60% of their defensive snaps. It's odd because despite being healthy he only played 24.7% of Pittsburgh's total snaps and then the Steelers let him walk in free agency without trying hard to keep him.

Earlier this offseason, Boykin said he was willing to return to Philadelphia now that Chip Kelly is gone. Boykin really didn't like Philly's former coach. He took shots at Kelly shortly after being traded and then again right after Kelly was fired.

One of the reasons why Boykin was unhappy during the Kelly era is because he wasn't given the shot to play on the outside. But the Eagles weren't the only team to deny him that chance. The Steelers didn't give him much of a shot either. And now after failing to draw strong interest in free agency, Boykin is joining the Panthers as their slot cornerback.

Boykin on playing nickel for Carolina: "That's where I've thrived. This is the best opportunity I could ask for."

— Max Henson (@PanthersMax) March 28, 2016

Boykin will now play for former Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott in Carolina. The Panthers had one of the best defenses in the NFL last season, which contributed to their Super Bowl run.