Darius Slay

Eagles CB Darius Slay Addresses Playing Future

July 12th, 2024 at 2:22pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Eagles made a number of cornerback additions this offseason, highlighted by the selections of Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in the first two rounds of the draft. The team still has James Bradberry and Darius Slay in the mix, although those veterans are no doubt closer to the end of their careers than the beginning.

In the latter’s case, two years remain on his deal. Slay’s Philadelphia future came into question last offseason when the team appeared to be prepared to release him. An extension was worked out, though, and the 33-year-old is now set to continue as a starting perimeter corner on an Eagles defense which struggled down the stretch in 2023. Slay is aware, however, that his time in the NFL is nearing an end.

“Ahh s—. Not too many,” he said when asked about about more years he intends to play (via Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia). “I’m not going to just keep playing. I’m going to let these young guys eat. That’s what I’m here for, to make sure these guys get there. And when my time is up, It’s up. I’m ready to be a full-time daddy and stuff.”

Slay has been a full-time starter throughout his four-year Eagles tenure. That could remain the case in 2024 with Bradberry facing the possibility of transitioning to safety in the waning stages of his career. Mitchell, DeJean and free agent addition Isaiah Rodgers are among the contenders for notable defensive playing time this season. Given their collective lack of experience at the pro level, Slay is a natural fit in a mentorship role.

The former Lion has earned a Pro Bowl nod in each of the past three seasons, collecting eight interceptions during that span. Slay will be counted on to remain a productive member of the Eagles’ defense – a unit now led by Vic Fangio – for at least the coming campaign. He could stay in the fold for 2025 (a year in which he is scheduled to receive $16MM) but beyond that questions will linger about his playing future. Considering his remarks, Slay should not be expected to target a deal allowing his NFL tenure to continue deep into the 2020s.

Eagles CB Darius Slay Aiming For Postseason Return

December 25th, 2023 at 2:16pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Eagles were without Darius Slay during their most recent loss after he underwent knee surgery. No firm recovery timeline is in place, but the All-Pro corner recently provided an update on his health status.

When speaking to the media, Slay said the knee issue he had been dealing with dated all the way back to 2019. After attempting to continue playing through it this season, his mobility dropped to 30%, leading to the decision to go under the knife. Slay declined to add if would suit up again in the regular season, but he said he will be available in time for the playoffs (h/t EJ Smith of the Philadelphia Inquirer).

Getting the five-time Pro Bowler back at any point would be a welcomed development for a reeling Eagles defense, but a path is in place for Philadelphia to earn the top spot in the NFC East with or without him the rest of the way. Resting until the postseason would help Slay’s recovery process, but the team’s secondary could benefit from his return earlier than that.

Slay has had another productive campaign in 2023. The 32-year-old has collected 57 tackles, 14 pass deflections and a pair of interceptions (one of which was returned for a touchdown). He has also delivered coverage statistics roughly in line with his two most recent campaigns, although the Eagles’ pass defense has been a sore spot this year. The team enters today’s contest surrendering an average of 255 yards per game through the air, which ranks 27th in the league.

The return of slot corner Avonte Maddox will provide a boost on the backend, and having Slay back no later than the postseason will give the Eagles another starter as the team transitions to Matt Patricia handling play-calling responsibilities. With Slay having not been placed on IR, no roster transaction will be needed for him to return to the lineup.

Eagles CB Darius Slay Sidelined After Knee Surgery

December 16th, 2023 at 10:47am CST by Ben Levine

The Eagles will be without a key defender for at least Monday night’s game against the Seahawks. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, cornerback Darius Slay underwent arthroscopic knee surgery this week that will sideline him for at least one game.

While coach Nick Sirianni declined to say exactly how long Slay would be out, he did reveal that the cornerback is expected back on the field by the end of the regular season. With only four games remaining on the regular season schedule, this means Slay will likely avoid a trip to the injured reserve.

The veteran defensive back has been dealing with a knee issue for the entire season. The injury forced him to miss Philly’s Week 6 loss to the Jets, and Slay has only practice once over the past two weeks. With the Eagles sitting towards the top of the NFC, the team is clearly hoping to get Slay right before the playoffs.

Despite the lingering injury, the five-time Pro Bowler is having another productive season in 2023. In 12 starts, Slay has collected 57 tackles, 14 passes defended, and two interceptions (including a pick-six). Pro Football Focus has Slay ranked 41st among 119 qualifying cornerbacks, with the site giving him especially high marks for his coverage.

With Slay sidelined, it’s uncertain who will step into the starting lineup. Kelee Ringo seems like the most likely candidate to start opposite James Bradberry, with the rookie fourth-round pick recently jumping Josh Jobe on the depth chart. Per ESPN’s Jeff McLane, the Eagles could also consider moving Bradley Roby from the slot to the outside while Slay is sidelined.

Eagles Addressed Darius Slay-Matt Patricia Past Before Making Hire

June 23rd, 2023 at 4:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

Multiple paths were in play for Darius Slay and Matt Patricia this offseason, but the two former Lions coworkers are now key parts of the Eagles’ defensive blueprint.

The Eagles discussed Slay in trades and were close to cutting him, but an extension agreement will keep the standout cornerback in Philadelphia. Patricia interviewed for the Broncos’ defensive coordinator job, was in play to stay with the Patriots and appeared on the Rams’ radar. But he is now in Philly as well.

Philly hired Patricia as a senior defensive assistant in April, well after the HC and coordinator carousels stopped. This made for an interesting move for a few reasons. Patricia’s success has occurred entirely in New England, and the veteran defensive coach is coming off a strange season in which he was asked to call the Pats’ offensive plays. Patricia, 48, also has a history with Slay from their Detroit days. Slay clashed with Patricia early during the latter’s run as the Detroit HC and at one point during Patricia’s 2018 debut, the then-Lions Pro Bowler said he did not respect the new coach. Patricia also, per Slay, questioned the accomplished cornerback’s abilities.

This feud reached the point the Eagles felt it prudent to address the matter before finalizing the Patricia hire, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. The initial Slay trade rumors surfaced shortly after Patricia emerged on Philly’s radar, but the two will work together despite their late-2010s drama. For his part, Slay said the parties’ relationship has been “cordial” this offseason, per Jenna Malinowski of the Detroit Free Press.

“It’s another day at the office,” Slay said. “We both got the same goal, just going out there to compete and win a championship, so that’s the main focus.”

Patricia not having the same authority level and not directly overseeing Slay stands to help matters in Philly, but given the latter’s importance to the Eagles’ defense — as reflected by the new $23MM guarantee the team authorized despite Slay being 32 — this hire can be questioned. But Patricia has thus far proven a solid resource for new DC Sean Desai, Breer adds.

The Eagles are transitioning to mostly new personnel on their defensive staff. Following Jonathan Gannon‘s messy departure, the Eagles lost defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson, who had been a candidate for the DC job. Linebackers coach Nick Rallis followed Gannon to Arizona. The team promoted assistant DBs coach D.K. McDonald to fill Wilson’s role, while D.J. Eliot — a college DC over the past 10 years who most recently served in that capacity at Temple — is now in charge of the linebackers. Patricia has experience coaching both position groups and obviously is best known for his six-year run as the Patriots’ defensive coordinator. Considering the staff turnover in Philly, Patricia stands to be an important presence in Desai’s first season leading the defense.

Ravens Pursued CB Darius Slay

March 26th, 2023 at 10:20pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Eagles were able to maintain both members of their starting corner tandem this offseason, despite a tight financial situation and a number of defensive starters departing in free agency. That included bringing back Darius Slay on a new deal, but the veteran would have had the opportunity to head to the AFC North had Philadelphia allowed him to leave.

The Ravens had “significant interest” in signing Slay, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic (subscription required). That comes as little surprise on a number of fronts, given the five-time Pro Bowler’s pedigree and Baltimore’s need at the position. Slay was slated to hit the open market after he and the Eagles failed to agree to terms on a restructure to his existing contract. One day after it was reported he would be released, however, Slay inked a two-year deal to remain with the NFC champions.

In that brief window of opportunity, Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post confirms that Baltimore made a “concerted effort” to sign Slay. The 32-year-old would have been reunited with Dennard Wilson, who left the Eagles this offseason to become the Ravens’ new secondary coach. The latter was in consideration for Philadelphia’s defensive coordinator vacancy, but the team’s decision to look outside the organization led to his departure.

Slay himself confirmed that he nearly signed with the Ravens. “I was almost — this close — a Baltimore Raven,” Slay recently said on his Big Play Slay podcast (via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk). Slay added that Baltimore offered him the money that he was seeking, but his preference was to remain with the Eagles. Because he and Philadelphia were able to work out the financials, he got his wish.

Slay enjoyed a highly productive season in 2022, earning a Pro Bowl nod for the second straight season. He totaled three interceptions and 14 pass deflections last year, putting up strong coverage numbers along the way. That would have made him an attractive option to not only the Ravens, but any number of other potential suitors in need of an addition at the CB spot. Baltimore certainly fits that description at the moment, however.

The Ravens have Marlon Humphrey on the books through 2026, but fellow starter Marcus Peters is a free agent. The latter missed all of 2021 with a torn ACL, and struggled this past season upon his return to the field. Given his downturn in production (Peters recorded only one interception, the lowest single-season total of his career), a deal worth much less than the three-year, $42MM one he played on upon arrival in Baltimore should be expected this time around.

Assuming he gets it from a new team, Peters’ departure would leave the Ravens in need of a starting-caliber boundary corner. Slay certainly would have fit that bill, but Baltimore is now tasked with either retaining Peters or looking elsewhere in free agency and/or the draft if they need to replace him.

CB Darius Slay Staying With Eagles, Signs Extension

March 16th, 2023 at 10:39pm CST by Ben Levine

Darius Slay is staying in Philadelphia after all. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the Eagles have agreed to a new deal with the cornerback. It’s a two-year extension that will keep Slay in Philly through the 2025 season.

Reports yesterday indicated that Slay was set to be released by the Eagles, mostly due to his lofty $26.1MM cap number. This reported transaction followed negotiations between the two sides on a new contract, and the front office also shopped the cornerback to CB-needy teams. Slay himself tweeted about his impending release, a move that would have opened $17.5MM in cap space but left $13MM in 2024 dead cap.

Not even 12 hours later, we heard the Eagles were having second thoughts about releasing the veteran. Reports indicated that the Eagles were having a “hard time” moving on from Slay and were hoping the two sides could come to some kind of compromise. Soon after, Slay took to Twitter and hinted that he may be returning to the Eagles after all.

Now, the new contract has been agreed to, keeping the defensive back with Philadelphia for the foreseeable future. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that the three years on Slay’s contract (including the two new extension years) are worth $42MM, including $23MM in guaranteed money.

Philly gave Slay a three-year, $50MM extension upon trading for him three years ago, and Slay has produced during his time with the organization. Pro Football Focus graded Slay as its No. 21 overall corner last season, with the 32-year-old earning his second-straight Pro Bowl nod after compiling 55 tackles, three interceptions, and 14 passes defended.

The Eagles had to invest in the position this offseason when they inked James Bradberry to a sizable extension. This new contract was expected to end Slay’s tenure with the team, but instead, the secondary will only have to deal with the loss of starting safety Marcus Epps.

CB Darius Slay Staying In Philadelphia?

March 15th, 2023 at 10:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

10:25pm: In the latest update to the Slay-scenario, the man himself has tweeted in reference to the situation. In the tweet, Slay claims to be “back like (he) never left” and asserts that he plans to “run it back” with the Eagles. Still, nothing appears to be official, but things are trending in a much different direction for the Pro Bowl cornerback’s chances of remaining in Philadelphia.

9:45pm: Not so fast. Slay’s tenure in Philadelphia may not be over, after all. Earlier this evening, Josina Anderson tweeted that the Eagles were having a “hard time” letting the cornerback go and were wishing they could keep him. Jeff Howe of The Athletic later tweeted that the Eagles were “working to find a way” to retain Slay, while ESPN’s Adam Schefter goes as far as to tweet that the defensive back is now expected to stay with the Eagles.

9:50am: The Eagles managed to bring back James Bradberry, but his partnership with Darius Slay will end up being a one-off. The defending NFC champs will move on from Slay after three seasons, Jeff Howe of The Athletic tweets.

Mentioned in trade rumors, Slay will end up being released. The three-year Eagle confirmed the news on his own Twitter account. This will deplete a secondary that already lost safety starter Marcus Epps. The Eagles brought back Bradberry, giving the eighth-year veteran a three-year deal, but their stacked 2022 defense has splintered during the legal tampering period.

Philly is designating Slay as a post-June 1 cut, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. This will save the Eagles $17.5MM, though $13MM in Slay dead money will transfer to the team’s 2024 cap sheet. Slay was set to carry an untenable 2023 cap number — $26.1MM, tops on the Eagles’ payroll — in the final year of his deal. Slay’s cap number ballooned to this place because the Eagles restructured his deal in 2021 and ’22.

Slay wound up in trade talks after he and the Eagles did not progress on renegotiations. The team’s efforts to do a restructure with Slay failed, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets, leading the Eagles to give him permission to seek a trade. Nothing materializing will push him to the open market Wednesday afternoon.

Although Slay is going into his age-32 season, he should fare well as a free agent. Traded to Philadelphia in 2020, this will be the former Detroit draftee’s first time on the market. He will be officially released when the 2023 league year begins at 3pm CT today.

Philly gave Slay a three-year, $50MM extension upon trading for him three years ago. The accomplished cover man’s rocky relationship with Matt Patricia — now an Eagles target as a position coach — helped lead him out of Detroit. Despite passing 30 in Philly, Slay has continued to be one of the NFL’s better cornerbacks. Pro Football Focus graded Slay as its No. 21 overall corner last season, when teamed with Bradberry to form one of the league’s best outside duos. Slay also allowed a 74.4 rating while in coverage in 2021. The Eagles will move forward with just one 30-something — Bradberry will turn 30 this offseason — at the position, however.

The Eagles faced the Chiefs with the NFL’s third-ranked defense, and although Jonathan Gannon‘s unit did not have a good night, it featured talent on all three levels. Free agency has cut into that collection. Epps, Javon Hargrave, T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White join Slay as Eagles starters who will not be part of the 2023 team. Fletcher Cox has not committed elsewhere yet, and the team has re-signed Brandon Graham.

Trade rumblings notwithstanding, Slay said he wanted to remain an Eagle for the rest of his career. But the 6-foot cover man said he will be prepared to play elsewhere. That time is coming, and Slay will be on track to join a third team soon. Cornerback-seeking teams that missed out on this year’s top options — Bradberry, Jamel Dean, Byron Murphy, Cameron Sutton — now have another option. Slay’s age would point him to a contender, but it remains to be seen what market will form for the 11th-year veteran.

Cowboys Considered Darius Slay As Trade Option

March 14th, 2023 at 5:44pm CST by Ben Levine

The Cowboys made a splash in their secondary today when they acquired former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore. Before they acquired the cornerback from the Colts, Dallas pondered making a call to a division rival.

While an initial report indicated the Cowboys discussed Darius Slay with the Eagles, these proceedings might not have progressed that far. ESPN’s Todd Archer clarifies on Twitter that the Eagles did not reach out to Dallas, so the Cowboys were clearly sniffing around at CB options. But the team had Slay on the radar. Jane Slater of the NFL Network tweets that the Cowboys indeed kicked around the idea of acquiring Slay.

While the Cowboys could theoretically carve out enough room to afford a pair of pricey cornerbacks, there’s a better chance the two potential moves were mutually exclusive, meaning Dallas preferred Gilmore.

Slay was recently granted permission to seek a trade out of Philly. It’s uncertain which side opted for a divorce; there were reports that the Eagles wanted to keep the cornerback around and that Slay wanted to stay in Philadelphia. The most likely explanation is that the Eagles wanted Slay to take a pay cut, and both sides may be exhausting their options before the player gives in to a reduced contract or is cut.

One year remains on Slay’s Eagles extension, a three-year pact worth $50MM. The 11th-year veteran is attached to a $17MM base salary in 2023 and a lofty $26.1MM cap number thanks to restructures in 2021 and 2022. No guaranteed money remains on the deal. The team could open up $17.5MM in cap space by making Slay a post-June 1 cut.

Addressing the trade topic on his latest podcast, Slay said he still wants to finish his career with the Eagles. That said, he confirmed he will continue his career elsewhere if that is what the Eagles end up deciding. The team locked up James Bradberry earlier today.

“I know what’s going on. I hear the rumors; I hear everything,” Slay said (h/t NBC Sports Philadelphia). “I see everything all over the globe, all over the internet and I just want my fans to know Slay did not ask to be traded. But this is part of the business. There’s no bad blood against neither one of us, me or Howie [Roseman]. None of that. We all good, great understanding. It’s just the business part of it. A lot of guys go up for trades, you know, they got a lot of money involved in this situation so it’s nothing big, nothing too serious. It’s just part of the business, man.

“I do want to finish my career as an Eagle but we’ll see. We be looking forward to it, man. Got time here. But best believe, I do want to be an Eagle. But if my job requires me to go elsewhere, then I’ll go.”

Since joining the Eagles in 2020, the cornerback has earned a pair of Pro Bowl nods. This past season, Slay finished with 55 tackles, 14 passes defended, and three interceptions. He ended up landing at 21st among 118 qualifying cornerbacks in 2022, per Pro Football Focus…a considerable drop from his fourth-place finish in 2021 but a significant jump from his grades in 2019 and 2020. For comparison’s sake, Gilmore finished this past season as PFF’s ninth-best CB.

Eagles To Allow Darius Slay To Seek Trade

March 10th, 2023 at 10:52am CST by Sam Robinson

10:52am: Slay and the Eagles had been discussing a new contract, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic (on Twitter). Those discussions not progressing led to the team permitting Slay to find a new home. With Slay having not requested a move, a resolution could still take place. But the chance Slay leaves Philadelphia after three seasons should be considered reasonable.

9:12am: The Eagles have three secondary starters days away from free agency. One of the two expected to return now does not appear a lock to be part of the team’s 2023 roster.

Darius Slay recently received permission to seek a trade, Dianna Russini of ESPN.com tweets. The Eagles want to find a solution to keep Slay in town, Russini adds, but the standout cornerback will have a chance to be traded for a second time. The Eagles initially acquired Slay via trade from the Lions back in 2020.

It should be expected Slay is moved, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets. Slay did not ask to be traded, according to McLane, who adds the Eagles have likely approached the veteran cover man about a pay cut (Twitter links). Slay said recently he wanted an extension, but it is unclear if the team is willing to give him a second contract at this stage of his career.

One year remains on Slay’s Eagles extension, a three-year pact worth $50MM. The Eagles gave Slay that deal upon acquiring him. Slay, 32, has provided a tremendous boost to the NFC East team’s secondary, remaining one of the league’s best corners into his early 30s. The Eagles, however, have the 11th-year veteran on a high 2023 base salary ($17MM). In order to keep Slay, the team would almost certainly need to lower his cap number from its current $26.1MM place. Slay’s contract number reached this place as a result of restructures in 2021 and 2022. No guaranteed money remains on the deal.

A trade before June 1 would not make much financial sense for Philly. The team would be hit with $22MM-plus in dead money by moving Slay elsewhere before that pivotal date. A deal after June 1 would create $17.5MM in cap space — though, the team could not use any of the new funds until June.

The Eagles have been linked to hiring Matt Patricia as their linebackers coach. Slay and Patricia notoriously did not get along in Detroit. It would be incredibly odd to see a team prioritize a position coach over a productive player, so it should not be assumed that is a factor here. Patricia has not yet been hired, and the financial component will be the driver of a separation — if it ends up taking place.

The Eagles have James Bradberry, C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Marcus Epps unsigned for 2023. They have identified Gardner-Johnson as a player they want to keep. Howie Roseman‘s team is frequently making splashy acquisitions and sweeping roster changes. The Eagles’ defense may look quite different in 2023, with the likes of Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Brandon Graham, Kyzir White and T.J. Edwards set to hit the market as well.

Eagles Eyeing Matt Patricia; Return To Patriots Still In Play?

March 8th, 2023 at 12:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

Matt Patricia has not landed a job just yet, but it should be expected the veteran defensive coach (feat. a memorable 2022 on the offensive side) lands elsewhere in 2023, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com notes. Patricia has met with the Broncos, but Sean Payton pointed to new DC Vance Joseph needing to sign off on a hire.

The Eagles also have Patricia on their radar. Nick Sirianni is aiming to add a veteran staffer for the linebackers coach position vacated by Nick Rallis, and InsidetheBirds.com’s Adam Caplan notes the Patricia addition is “probably going to happen.” The defending NFC champions would place Patricia as a senior member of the staff if hired, noting Sirianni is prioritizing experience for this hire.

This would be an interesting fit, given the Patricia-Darius Slay relationship from the duo’s Lions days. Slay’s dislike for Patricia was bad enough it affected the cornerback’s performance, per Caplan, and the accomplished cover man said he and Patricia’s relationship was “destroyed” as early as 2018, the latter’s first season as Lions HC. Ahead of Patricia’s final year in Detroit, the Lions sent Slay to the Eagles for third- and fifth-round picks. A recent Slay tweet regarding a Patricia Philadelphia arrival pointed to animosity remaining. Although Patricia would not be coaching Slay in Philly, this reunion would certainly bring an awkward component into the Eagles’ defensive equation.

Patricia, however, has spoken with multiple teams about a role, Graziano adds. Patricia’s Patriots contract has expired, and his most recent New England arrangement did not come with much compensation from the Pats. The Lions still owing Patricia money — as part of his five-year contract — aided the Patriots in paying their versatile assistant, with Ben Volin of the Boston Globe describing the situation as the AFC East team not needing to pay an offensive coordinator last season.

Patricia ended up the de facto Pats OC in 2022. As most assumed, it did not go well. The longtime defensive coach and ex-Lions leader, however, did not want to serve in that role, per Volin, who notes Patricia ended up doing so as a favor to Bill Belichick. The Patriots boss wanted a coach he could trust at the helm on offense. The Pats had lost longtime OC Josh McDaniels, and rather than hire a true play-caller, Belichick took the unusual step of putting Patricia in that post. The Pats have since added another ex-staffer, Bill O’Brien, to serve in this capacity.

Patricia gained considerable experience during his second New England stay, playing the lead role on offense with an emphasis on the team’s O-line while working in a front office capacity at points as well. He is the rare modern NFL coach to call plays on both sides of the ball. Patricia seems poised to head to a third organization soon, though Volin adds a path back to New England should still be open due to he and Belichick remaining close. The Patriots have already filled their O-line coach post, hiring Adrian Klemm, while the Broncos have added both inside and outside linebackers coaches.

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