Big Play Slay is back on the market.
The Pittsburgh Steelers released Darius Slay as part of their roster overhaul Tuesday, which included wide receiver Adam Thielen joining the Steelers and elevating cornerback Asante Samuel Jr from the practice squad.
Slay, of course, was a member of the Philadelphia Eagles the past five seasons and made three Pro Bowl appearances in that span. He helped Philadelphia reach two Super Bowls, including Super Bowl LIX, which they won 40-22 over the Kansas City Chiefs in February.
But Slay left Philadelphia to sign a one-year contract with the Steelers. The second-round pick of the Detroit Lions from the 2013 NFL Draft will turn 35 on Jan. 1.
Darius Slay Struggled With The Steelers
Eagles fans certainly weren’t exactly enamored with Slay’s play over his first two seasons in Philadelphia, and he didn’t have an interception in 2024 despite his team-leading 13 passes defended. So no one was exactly disappointed to see the soon-to-be 35-year-old go to Pittsburgh.
But Slay has really struggled this season, posting just 36 tackles, three passes defended and one fumble recovery in 10 games, earning a 58.3 grade from Pro-Football Focus, the 71st-best mark out of 110 CBs.
Obviously, he wouldn’t have gotten cut if he were playing well. But the Steelers pass defense has been abysmal, sitting 28th in the NFL in passing-yards against per game (247.4), despite ranking T6th in the NFL in sacks (34). Slay’s release was both to make room for Samuel and also give enhanced reps to veteran James Pierre.
Darius Slay Would Fit With The Eagles Now
Quinyon Mitchell is playing at a Pro Bowl level this season — he ranks 17th out of 110 qualifying CBs per PFF. But the Eagles have, of course, lost two straight, and for as much was made of their star-studded defense’s success over the past four games, Adoree Jackson is giving Eagles fans some serious angst these days.
Rival offenses have been picking on Jackson, the No. 2 corner and ninth-year pro, who ranks 105th among cornerbacks by PFF this season. George Pickens had nine catches for 146 yards against the Eagles in the Dallas Cowboys‘ come-from-behind 24-21 win in Week 12.
Jameson Williams of the Detroit Lions burned Jackson for a 40-yard touchdown the week before, part of his four-catch, 88-yard performance in a 16-9 Eagles win. Christian Watson, barely off IR for the Green Bay Packers, also put up 45 yards on just two catches against Jackson in Philly’s 10-7 win in Week 10.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman already coaxed Brandon Graham out of retirement and onto the practice field, and you’d have to think he has called Slay’s people. Philadelphia had the No. 1 pass defense with Slay and Mitchell patrolling the outside in 2024 (174.2 yards-against per game) but has dipped to T20th-ranked pass D this year (218.3).
The Steelers pass defense was woeful with Slay playing 70 percent of the defensive snaps this season, so there’s no telling how much he has left in the tank. But Slay presumably still remembers Vic Fangio’s defense, and the Eagles would be wise to bring Slay back in time for Week 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night.
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