Super Bowl champion cornerback Darius Slay, who opted not to report last season for the Buffalo Bills after they claimed him on waivers, has announced his retirement after 13 seasons
08:15 ET, 17 Mar 2026
Darius Slay Jr. #2 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Caesars Superdome on February 9, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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Darius Slay, pictured here following Philadelphia's Super Bowl LIX win over the Kansas City Chiefs, has retired from the NFL after 13 seasons(Image: Getty Images)
Darius Slay has announced his retirement from the NFL, just months after he opted not to report to the Buffalo Bills after they claimed him on waivers.
Drafted by the Detroit Lions back in 2013, Slay played 13 seasons in the NFL. Following seven years with Detroit, he was then acquired via trade by the Philadelphia Eagles, where he spent the next five years of his career — the highlight of which was helping the franchise win its second Super Bowl title after routing the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
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Following the 2024 season, he was released by Philadelphia, leading him to sign a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, in December, the Steelers released Slay, prompting the Bills to claimed him on waivers ahead of the playoffs. Elsewhere in the NFL headlines, quarterback Joe Burrow was spotted leaving an Oscars party with three women, while former New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski recently left Logan Paul red-faced.
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After being claimed by Buffalo on waivers, Slay's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said that his client chose not to report to the Bills because he was contemplating retirement.
On Monday, Slay's decision on whether he would be back for the 2026 season was confirmed, with the Super Bowl-winning corner announcing his retirement from the NFL after 13 years.
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In a post on Instagram, Slay wrote: "Dear football, I wanna thank you for all you've done for me. I've been blessed to play the game I loved since I was 5yrs old for an amazing 13yrs at the highest level.
"Football was my peace, my joy, my everything. This game put me in a position to help take care of my family and loved ones and I'm forever grateful.
Darius Slay #23 of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks the field prior to an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Slay spent the final year of his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers before being released after 10 games
"It's hard to say goodbye, but God has a new chapter for me and I'm ready to turn the page and start my new journey. To all my BigPlay fans, I will always appreciate the love and support y'all have given to me. I couldn't have done it without you. Just A Kid from Brunswick, GA with BIG dreams...BigPlay on and off the field! We Out."
Slay's announcement also prompted congratulations from the Eagles. In a post on X, they wrote: "Pro Bowler, All-Pro, Super Bowl Champ. Congratulations on an amazing career, @bigplay24slay."
During his final season in the NFL, Slay played 10 games for the Steelers, starting nine of them.
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Darius Slay #2 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates on the field after defeating the New York Giants 38-7 in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Slay played a huge part in the Eagles winning the Super Bowl during the 2024 NFL season(Image: Getty Images)
The 35-year-old was widely viewed as one of the league's best defensive backs for the majority of his career.
Slay was named to the Pro Bowl six times, and his impressive 2017 season also earned him an All-Pro selection.