After a season of uncertainty, Eagles veteran cornerback Darius Slay has announced he may retire, leaving the Philadelphia franchise scrambling for a CB2 replacement.
Slay’s Decision and the Bills Claim
Longtime Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay is considering retirement and will not report to the Buffalo Bills, who were awarded his rights on waivers on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Because the claim came after the trade deadline of Nov. 4, Slay is subject to the NFL’s waiver claim process, which awards a released player’s rights in reverse order of team record when there are multiple claims.
Possible Return to the Eagles
If the Bills decide to keep Slay on a reserve‑did‑not‑report list, he would not count against their 53‑man roster. Alternatively, they could release him, which would reopen the door for Slay to wind up back with the Eagles. The Eagles would then have the option to re‑sign him or pursue other options.
Career Highlights and Recent Performance
Slay turns 35 on New Year’s Day. During his six seasons with the Eagles he made three Pro Bowls, and he has a total of six Pro Bowls, including the seven seasons he spent with the Detroit Lions. He has 28 career interceptions, including a league‑high eight in 2017 while with Detroit. His 28 INTs rank third‑most among active players, behind Harrison Smith (37) and Kevin Byard (35). He has not recorded an interception in his last 30 regular‑season games, although he did pick off Jordan Love in the wild‑card round last January.
After the Eagles released him on March 3, Slay signed a one‑year, $10 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played in 10 games, was healthy inactive for their game against the Bills this past Sunday, and was released on Tuesday.
Impact on the Eagles’ Secondary
Since cutting ties with Slay, the Eagles have struggled to find a reliable second outside cornerback. Kelee Ringo has started two games, Adoree’ Jackson has started six, and in four other games Cooper DeJean started at outside corner with the opposing offense in base defense.
Statistical Snapshot
Stathead analytics show that during his short stint in Pittsburgh, Slay was targeted 40 times, allowing 30 completions for 337 yards and one touchdown. His defensive passer rating of 108.0 this year ranks 81st out of 104 corners who have been targeted at least 20 times this year. His opposing completion percentage of 75 % ranks 98th, and his 8.4 yards per target rank 88th.
When compared to his performance from 2021 through 2024, Slay had an opposing passer rating of 80.0, an opposing completion percentage of 58.3 %, and allowed 6.5 yards per target. Among 95 corners who were targeted at least 200 times during that four‑year span, Slay had the 11th‑best passer rating, the 22nd‑best completion percentage, and the 23rd‑best yards per target.
Agent Statement
“Slay is honored that a first‑class organization like the Bills claimed him,” said agent Drew Rosenhaus to ESPN. “But he is going to take some time away from football right now and decide in the next few days if he wants to keep playing.”
Key Takeaways
- Slay may retire after being claimed by the Bills, potentially returning to the Eagles.
- He has a decorated career: 6 Pro Bowls, 28 interceptions, and a league‑high eight in 2017.
- The Eagles’ secondary remains unsettled, with limited starts from Ringo, Jackson, and DeJean.
The decision Slay ultimately makes will shape the Eagles’ defensive strategy for the upcoming season and could influence the Bills’ roster planning.
