The Future of Slay
Last week, for salary cap purposes, the Eagles released cornerback Darius Slay. There is a chance that Slay could re-sign with the Eagles at a reduced rate. According to spotrac.com, Slay had a cap hit for 2025 of $13,780,000
The Eagles can’t keep every player, but if there is a chance to keep Slay, it should be seriously considered.
Whether he returns or not, acquiring Slay will go down as yet another of GM Howie Roseman’s great trades.
The Eagles acquired Slay from Detroit for a third-round and fifth round draft choice. Slay was coming off his third Pro Bowl season with the Lions when he was acquired by the Eagles.
During his five seasons in Philadelphia, the Eagles have gone to two Super Bowls and of course won this past season. They have qualified for the playoffs four of the five seasons. Slay has been a three-time Pro Bowl selection with the Eagles.
This year enroute to the Super Bowl title, Slay led the Eagles with five passes defensed in the four playoff games. Included were three passes defensed in the Eagles’ closest playoff game, their 28-22 win over the Los Angeles Rams.
Slay also was a great mentor as the Eagles broke in two rookie cornerbacks, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, who both have the look of future Pro Bowl performers.
In five years with the Eagles, Slay appeared in 74 regular season games, including 73 starts. He had nine interceptions, including two returned for touchdown, although he didn’t have an interception this year.
In addition, he has appeared in nine playoff games with the Eagles.
Slay turned 34 on New Year’s Day and there aren’t many top-flight cornerbacks at that age, but he remains in excellent shape and he can still cover talented receivers..
Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 67.6 and ranked Slay as 69th out of 223 cornerbacks.
The eye test suggests that Slay played better than that. He is still very proficient in coverage. While Slay might not be the strongest run defender, that is something that could be said of many cornerbacks.
The bottom line is that he has plenty left. According to reports, he is considering either the Eagles (if they could agree on a reduced contract) or his former team, the Detroit Lions.
Besides his solid play, Slay gives the Eagles defense the attitude they need, never giving an inch to a receiver.
He might be among the most confident players in the NFL, which is saying something.
The Eagles are likely to have at least a few major contributors depart in free agency. If there is any way possible, they should try to keep Slay. And if not, his old team, the Lions, should pounce on the opportunity to bring him back.
Photo: No. 2 Darius Slay / Courtesy of Philadelphia Eagles
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Author: Marc Narducci
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