Darius Slay Explains Why He Passed on the Bills: “It Just Caught Me at a Bad Time”
Darius Slay has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind, and when it came to his decision not to report to the Buffalo Bills after being claimed off waivers, he kept it as real as ever.
The former All-Pro cornerback, now 13 years into a decorated NFL career, recently opened up on The Speakeasy with Emmanuel Acho, shedding light on why he chose not to join a playoff-contending team in Buffalo. And while some might’ve expected a football-centric explanation-scheme fit, depth chart concerns, or even contract issues-Slay’s reasoning was a little more personal, and honestly, very human.
“I just got out of Pittsburgh,” Slay said. “I don’t feel like packing up and moving again.”
At 34 years old, Slay’s been around the league long enough to know what the grind looks like. From the physical toll to the constant relocation, the NFL lifestyle isn’t for the faint of heart-especially when you’ve already built a résumé like his. And for Slay, the timing just wasn’t right.
“If they would’ve caught me at like 28, 29, I might’ve been like, ‘OK,’” he added. “But I’m 13 years in. I done did it.”
That’s not to say he had anything negative to say about the Bills themselves. In fact, he was quick to give the organization its due respect.
“That’s a top organization,” Slay said. “They win, they go to the playoffs, they got a franchise quarterback. So, it wasn’t a bad fit-it just caught me at a bad time.”
That phrase-caught me at a bad time-really sums it up. For a player who’s spent over a decade giving everything to the game, sometimes it’s not about X’s and O’s or depth charts. Sometimes it’s about life outside the lines-family, rest, and a little peace.
Slay also revealed he had a conversation with the Bills after the claim. It was cordial, but he made his priorities clear.
“I talked to them,” he said. “It was a neutral talk.
I said, ‘Hey, man. I’m 34.
I know y’all be watching tape, but I’m trying to relax with my family and kid. I ain’t feel like packing up, moving.’”
And then came the kicker-one that Bills fans might not love but will probably nod along with anyway.
“No offense to Buffalo-it’s cold as hell in Buffalo.”
Now, he’s not wrong. December in Buffalo averages around 31 degrees.
Pittsburgh, where Slay had just wrapped up his previous stint, isn’t exactly a tropical escape either, but it does edge out Buffalo slightly with a 35-degree average. Still, when you’re weighing whether or not to uproot your life for a late-season roster move, a few degrees might make all the difference.
For now, Slay is stepping away from the game to consider his next move. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said earlier this week that Slay would be taking some time to decide whether he wants to keep playing. The decision to not report doesn’t mean he’s officially retiring-but it does suggest that if he returns, it’ll be on his terms.
Meanwhile, the Bills are left with a bit of a roster wrinkle. Because Slay was claimed and hasn’t officially retired or been released, he still counts against their 53-man roster. To make room for him, Buffalo waived defensive back Ja’Marcus Ingram-who’s now getting a fresh start with the Houston Texans.
Slay’s situation is a reminder that even in a league as cutthroat and competitive as the NFL, players are still people. And sometimes, even when the opportunity looks good on paper, it just doesn’t line up with where life is at the moment.