Despite his struggles, everybody seems to agree that Mike Tomlin will insert Darius Slay back into the starting lineup. Though one of the greatest cornerbacks of his generation, he has clearly lost something in recent years. There’s a reason the Eagles cut him this offseason, and a reason he signed for only $10 million.
“It certainly sounds like if he’s cleared, Slay is gonna step back in. I think it’s out of deference to what Darius Slay has done throughout his career”, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said about Tomlin’s recent comments, saying that Slay will play once he clears the concussion protocol.
While he didn’t specifically say that Slay will start, the question he answered did ask that. He responded affirmatively, while also saying that they want to continue to play James Pierre. And while Pierre has played well when called upon this season, Slay obviously has a much larger body of work.
Pierre has eight passes defensed this year, with Tomlin chalked up to opponents targeting the perceived weak link. But he hasn’t been a weak link. Indeed, out of the secondary, Slay might have been the biggest among starters who are still here. They already released Juan Thornhill, otherwise it would be him.
“If they’re creative, they can find ways to do it”, Fittipaldo said of Tomlin playing both Pierre and Slay. “Maybe that’s also part of the equation. I think Mike Tomlin wants to give Darius Slay every opportunity to play well before he does make that final decision to go to James Pierre”.
Tomlin loves his accomplished veterans, and Slay certainly qualifies. But past success does not guarantee future results, and the Steelers haven’t seen the desired results. According to Pro Football Reference, Slay has allowed 30 catches on 40 targets this year for 337 yards. He is averaging a 60-percent completion rate against for his career, so that’s a substantial downturn. Even last year, he allowed about 55 percent. And he is allowing 8.4 yards per target, the second-worst mark of his career.
But Slay is still a six-time Pro Bowler and a former first-team All-Pro. He might not be that same player now, but the argument is Tomlin wants to be sure he doesn’t still have that in him before he puts him on the bench. Slay was still a serviceable player even last season, but the Eagles saw the writing on the wall.
Darius Slay will turn 35 on January 1. He is in his 13th season in the NFL, has won a Super Bowl, and is a decorated and respected elder statesman. But is he helping the Steelers win games in 2025? Can he once he comes back on the field? At the least, the Steelers and Mike Tomlin are viewing that as an open question in need of an answer.Darius Slay
Recommended for you