The Buffalo Bills have reached a final decision on Darius Slay’s future after the veteran cornerback said he would not report to Buffalo.
The Bills claimed Slay off waivers after the Pittsburgh Steelers cut ties earlier this week, but Slay said he did not want to play in Buffalo. The Bills already lost out on the veteran cornerback they waived in order to make room for Slay on the roster, and now the team has decided to hold onto his rights rather than let him go to find another team.
Bills Place Darius Slay on Reserve List
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported on Friday that the Bills decided to keep the rights to Slay, placing him on the reserve list for not reporting to the team.
“The #Bills are placing veteran CB Darius Slay on the reserve/did not report list after he refused to show up in Buffalo upon being claimed, source said. Buffalo will retain his rights,” Rapoport shared in a post on X.
The decision means the Bills will re-open the roster spot they had intended to use on Slay. The Bills parted ways with cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram, who was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans.
Buffalo’s decision drew some pushback, especially after Slay made it clear that he hoped to return to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles also put in a waiver claim, but Buffalo had a higher priority and ultimately claimed him.
Slay explained his decision on the “Speakeasy” podcast this week, saying he was not up for moving his family and going to the colder climate in Buffalo.
“Mostly, it’s a family decision kind of to it,” Slay said. “So, we just see how it goes, though. But I’m going to take it day by day.”
The Bills hold all the cards, however, and can force Slay either to play or remain on the reserve list.
Bills Coach Upset Over Losing Ja’Marcus Ingram
Bills head coach Sean McDermott expressed disappointment with Slay’s decision on Friday, saying he was sad to see Ingram leave. The Bills first signed Ingram as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Buffalo in 2023, growing him from a practice-squad member to a special teams regular and key reserve in the secondary.
“I’m a huge Ja’Marcus Ingram fan and will always be, so I’m always going to be in his corner and want the best for him,” McDermott said. “So, that’s really where my mind is right now, and get myself ready to coach this game.”
McDermott, who spoke before the Bills announced the decision to put Slay on the reserve list, did not answer when asked if the team would try convincing the veteran cornerback to play for them.
“I’m really going to focus on our team right now,” McDermott said. “So, focus on our team and coaching this game in a couple days here, and I wish him the best, him and his family.”
The decision to keep Slay on the reserve list rather than waiving him could have some strategic importance as well, as the Bills face the Eagles in Week 17.
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