Super Bowl Champion CB with Ties to Steelers AGM Hits Free Agency
The Philadelphia Eagles are releasing veteran cornerback and defensive captain Darius Slay according to a report by Adam Schefter of ESPN, adding another big name to an overflowing cornerback market for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025.
By releasing Slay, 34, the Eagles will save $4.3 million against their 2025 salary cap. He became expendable thanks to breakout seasons from rookie cornerbacks Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell.
The veteran defensive back has said he wants to play at least one more season. Slay spent the last five years with the Eagles as a starting outside cornerback. He started 14 games for Philly this regular season, plus another four on the Eagles’ run to their Super Bowl LIX championship. He finished the regular season with 49 tackles, three tackles for loss, 13 passes defended and one forced fumble.
Slay also had an interception in the Eagles’ Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers.
Slay came to the Eagles in 2020, when current Steelers assistant general manager Andy Weidl was the Philadelphia vice president of player personnel.
Before his time with Philly, Slay spent seven seasons with the Detroit Lions, who selected him out of Mississippi State in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Slay has been a six-time Pro Bowler and was an first-team All-Pro with the Lions in 2017, when he led the NFL in interceptions.
Slay has hinted that he could return to Detroit for what he anticipates being his final season in the NFL in 2025.
Whether the Steelers and Slay would have any interest in one another, adding another name to what is already a very deep free agency group will be a good thing for the Steelers, who will likely be seeking upgrades over both outside cornerback Donte Jackson and slot cornerback Cam Sutton this offseason.