The Eagles and Darius Slay: A Potential Reunion
The Philadelphia Eagles made a decision that left many fans in a state of confusion and disappointment when they chose to move on from Darius Slay just weeks after winning the Super Bowl. This move sparked a lot of mixed emotions among the fanbase, as Slay was a key player during the team’s successful campaign. He was known for his elite performance as an outside cornerback, significantly contributing to the defense’s transformation and bringing leadership and passion to the locker room.
However, Slay’s performance in 2024 did show some signs of decline, with injuries becoming more frequent and his availability decreasing over the course of the season. According to Pro Football Focus, he played the fewest snaps of his career since his rookie year in 2013, missing 19% of the Eagles’ snaps during the regular season and 12.5% during the Super Bowl. Despite this, his play remained solid, matching his 2023 numbers. However, the increased reliance on Iasaiah Rodgers as a spot-up starter raised questions about whether Slay’s performance was indeed deteriorating.
Slay eventually signed a one-year $10 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers but was released shortly after, getting his walking papers on December 2 following a loss to the Buffalo Bills. Now, Slay is looking for a new opportunity to finish the season with a contender. If he wants to contribute immediately, there’s only one obvious option: joining Vic Fangio’s defense opposite Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.
The Eagles’ New Cornerback Strategy
After parting ways with Slay, the Eagles decided to replace him with another veteran cornerback, Adoree’ Jackson. On paper, this move seemed like a slight downgrade, but Jackson is younger and offers more versatility in both inside and outside coverage. Unfortunately, football isn’t played on paper, and Jackson has performed worse for the Eagles than Slay did for the Steelers before his release.
Jackson’s PFF overall grade is 47.8, and his coverage grade is 48.0, ranking in the bottom 10 out of 110 qualifying cornerbacks. While Slay’s grades were also below average at 58.3 and 58.6, they came in a new scheme, not the one he had success with last season.
Jackson has been the Eagles’ starter largely due to necessity, as Kelee Ringo hasn’t proven capable of playing up to Fangio’s standards. To bolster the secondary, Howie Roseman traded for two cornerbacks before the 2025 NFL trade deadline. Michael Carter II is expected to provide depth on the inside, while Jaire Alexander was intended to be a Slay-style outside option. However, Alexander never actually played for the Eagles, as he was placed on the reserve/retired list after announcing his retirement from football.
A Possible Path Forward
While it might seem odd for Slay to return to a team that let him go, both he and his wife, Jennifer, have shown appreciation for the Eagles, indicating there’s no significant bad blood. Considering the offers on the open market are likely similar, a reunion could be beneficial for both parties. Slay doesn’t need to be the same Pro Bowl-caliber performer he once was, especially with Mitchell and DeJean performing at high levels.
If Slay can outperform Jackson, he could become the Eagles’ CB3, sliding into the swing corner role that Iasaiah Rodgers filled last season. This would significantly improve the secondary and, in turn, the entire defense. Slay would also benefit by avoiding the base defense and certain big nickel packages, preserving his legs for the playoffs.
If Roseman was willing to give up a late pick swap for Alexander, adding Slay for free would be a near-no-brainer. It’s a win-win scenario that could bring back a familiar face to a defense that once thrived under his leadership.
