Speaking to WJR-AM in Detroit following his trade from the Lions to the Eagles, cornerback Darius Slay didn’t hold back on his substandard connection with Lions head coach Matt Patricia. Slay, who’d been in Detroit since 2013, said Patricia told him he shouldn’t have been working out with fellow corners like Richard Sherman and Aqib Talib because those players are “elite” while Slay is simply “good,” per Justin Rogers of the Detroit News (all Twitter links).
Slay also indicated his relationship with Patricia was “destroyed” in 2018, adding that he didn’t respect Patricia as a person. Clearly, the nature of Slay’s dissatisfaction played a large role in Detroit’s decision, but as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (video link), the Lions also had no interest in handing Slay another new deal after inking him to a four-year, $48MM extension in 2016. Philadelphia, meanwhile, gave Slay a three-year, $50MM pact after acquiring him.
Here’s more on the cornerback circuit:
- Veteran cornerback Chris Harris says he turned down a three-year offer from the Raiders before inking a two-year, $20MM deal with the Chargers, tweets Mike Klis of 9News. Per Harris, he simply didn’t feel “comfortable” with the Raiders, and preferred to join a Chargers defense that already includes stalwarts like Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram, Casey Hayward, and Derwin James. Harris, 30, also attracted interest from teams like the Saints, Jets, Eagles, and says he picked up “tons” of one-year offers before deciding on Los Angeles.
- After losing Harris, the Broncos are looking into adding another cornerback, according to Troy Renck of Denver7 (Twitter link). Denver acquired A.J. Bouye from the Jaguars earlier this month to pair with incumbent Bryce Callahan, but the club could still use another defensive back, either via free agency or the draft. Jimmy Smith, Logan Ryan, Nickell Robey-Coleman, and Ronald Darby are among the top corners still remaining on the open market.
- The Falcons officially designated cornerback Desmond Trufant as a post-June 1 release. That move will allow Atlanta to spread Trufant’s dead money out over both the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Trufant, of course, has already found a new home, landing a two-year, $21MM deal with the Lions.
Trufant stinks…. most overrated player ever
he’s a good corner…he’s just not elite or shutdown but we paid him like he was smh
How is he overrated? Same age as Slay and didn’t cost as much. I’ve always thought he was solid but not elite.
Can’t wait for the Raiders lighting up Harris.
Lol Not gonna happen.
Couldn’t light him up the entire time he was in Denver
during what? an off season smoke session? lmao.
raiders aren’t gonna be lighting up anyone except their joints they use after games to cope with yet another long disappointing season.
Sutton, Hamilton and Patrick will be burning Harris twice a year now. 😉
Don’t understand why Patricia is still a Head Coach. Fire Jim Caldwell who had going the right direction and keep Fat Matt. Didn’t Patricia and Bill O’Brien coach at New England and have certain attitudes. Hmmmmm
Chargers I think have had one of the best offseason of all teams.
Got them selves a stronger and more experienced O line with Trai Turner and Bulaga. They got Chris Harris at CB, he’s elite, and Linval Joseph at tackle is nice. Plus they kept Henry at TE.
Hopefully they draft Justin Herbert and let him run the offence.
Chris Harris is old and they spent a ton and have no qb.
Harris (30) is only a year older than Slay and Trufant (29).
wow Patricia. jerk much?
In my opinion I think Patricia is just trying to emulate the same atmosphere that belichick has in New England. The only issue is the players on the patriots actually respect belichick because he has the record to prove it. A couple sub .500 seasons don’t give the lions players any reason to trust in the way he’s leading the team.
Belichick’s record at Cleveland wasn’t much different than Patricia’s. Belichick was heavily criticized for telling Bledsoe he’d get his job back and sticking with Brady. People forget all that because it worked out fine. Winning comes from buying in and committing, not the other way around.
It’s always wise to bash your former coach when you go to a new team. It helps establish the foundation of trust with your new coach and teammates that says you’re committed. #paydayslay