Six-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay has agreed to terms with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year deal, worth $10 million fully guaranteed, according to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network . The Eagles officially released Slay at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, which is when the new league year begun.
There was a small amount of uncertainty that Slay would sign with the Steelers, as even though the Eagles said they planned to release Slay — there's nothing holding them to those promises. That's not a worry now with his official release.
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..
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.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) is stopped by Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (2) and linebacker T.J. Edwards during the second half of an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Slay provides a much-needed upgrade in the Steelers secondary, as outside cornerback Donte Jackson and slot cornerback Cam Sutton struggled immensely down the stretch last season.
The 34-year-old cornerback paired with Joey Porter Jr. gives the Steelers a dynamic cornerback duo. Slay will also be a mentor for the young Porter.
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 allowed 6.1 yards per target in 2024, per Pro Football Reference . That was his best mark since 2018.
Back in 2023, several teams inquired about Slay's availability. He and the Eagles eventually agreed to restructure the final year of his contract and sign a two-year extension, but he revealed he almost became a Steeler.
"Mike Tomlin, one of the best coaches in the NFL, man," Slay said on his podcast, "Big Play Slay." "What's so crazy is I almost was going to them, too. They hit me up, too. T.J. Watt text me, Cam Heyward text me, and they talked about me coming there. Before I ever got to make a decision, they signed Pat Pete, so they kind of chilled out for a minute. But I was almost a Pittsburgh Steeler as well."
Two years later, Slay ultimately lands in the Steel City. He'll now have the opportunity to play for Mike Tomlin.
Alan Saunders contributed reporting for this story.
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