Darius Slay’s brief run in Pittsburgh has come to an early end. Just two days after being a healthy scratch in the Steelers’ matchup against the Bills, the veteran cornerback and the team have mutually agreed to part ways, opening the door for the 34-year-old to explore new opportunities as the 2025 season winds down.
Slay, who signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh back in March after being released by the Eagles, was brought in to add experience and leadership to the Steelers’ secondary. Through 10 games this season, he logged 36 tackles and recovered one fumble-solid production for a player adjusting to a new system and battling through injuries.
But availability has been a challenge. Slay missed time this season due to various injuries, and that uncertainty appears to have played a role in Pittsburgh’s decision to take a longer look at younger talent. Head coach Mike Tomlin addressed the move earlier in the week, explaining that Sunday’s decision to bench Slay wasn’t a knock on the veteran, but rather an opportunity to evaluate Asante Samuel Jr. in a starting role.
“Really it was less about Slay and more about getting an opportunity to see Asante Samuel,” Tomlin said. “Slay has missed some time due to a variety of injuries.
It was about getting a look at the guy that’s started a lot of games in this league. And we did, and we liked some of the things that we saw.”
That evaluation seems to have accelerated the shift. With Slay now out of the picture, Samuel is expected to step into a more prominent role down the stretch. It’s a classic case of the NFL’s next-man-up mentality, and Samuel’s performance going forward will be key for a Steelers defense still trying to find its rhythm in the secondary.
As for Slay, he’s made it clear he’s not done yet. According to reports, he’s interested in continuing to play this season, and given his resume-five Pro Bowl appearances and a decade-plus of experience-there’s a good chance a playoff contender looking for depth and leadership at cornerback will come calling.
For now, Slay hits the open market, and the Steelers move forward with a younger look in the secondary. It’s a tough business, especially for veterans, but Slay’s track record suggests he could still have something left in the tank if the right opportunity presents itself.