Cornerback Darius Slay said he wanted to play at least one more season after being released last year. Now, it appears there is a chance Slay will stay in Pennsylvania, though it would not be with the team in which he won a Super Bowl with this season with the Eagles.
According to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, Slay has agreed to a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Slay and the Steelers are still in discussions. Slay spent five seasons with the Eagles, making the Pro Bowl three times and helping the team reach the Super Bowl twice, winning Super Bowl LIX.
It was reported last Monday that Slay would be released with a June 1 designation but the move has not officially been made yet. Last season, he finished the regular season with 13 passes defended, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He later added an interception and a team-high five passes defended in the playoffs, helping the Eagles win their second Super Bowl.
On his podcast last week, Slay said the Steelers were an option because of head coach Mike Tomlin, stating that Tomlin could “help grow him as a player.” Slay had said he was open to returning to the Eagles or the Detroit Lions, the team that drafted him in the second round of the 2013 draft, but he detailed the factors he was considering before signing with a team.
“I do want a team that I can help grow, definitely in the secondary,” Slay said. “I want to help mentor some of these guys in the secondary or anybody that needs to be mentored on that team. I think I’m a great leader, but I for sure want to be on a contender. I’m not trying to just go out here and play for the cash. I’ve got plenty of cash, but I do want to be taken care of in a way with cash—that’s a part of the game. But I want to be in a winning situation, too.”
With Isaiah Rodgers signing with the Minnesota Vikings, it means Kelee Ringo is in line to see a bump in playing time. The Eagles traded up for him in 2023, selecting him in the fourth-round.
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Chris Franklin may be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com.