Eagles DC Vic Fangio Weighs In on Slay Speculation - But It's a No-Go
For a moment, it looked like the door might crack open for a familiar face to return to Philadelphia’s secondary. But as of now, that door’s been shut-at least when it comes to Darius Slay.
When asked Wednesday about the possibility of Slay making his way back to the Eagles, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio didn’t exactly pour cold water on the idea-but he didn’t fan the flames either. “That’s a hot question for Howie [Roseman] there,” Fangio said, keeping the focus on the front office.
Slay, now 34, signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Steelers this offseason, but things didn’t pan out in Pittsburgh. After being a healthy scratch, the two sides decided to part ways. That opened the door-at least theoretically-for a return to Philly, where Slay had carved out a strong five-year run.
Slay’s Impact in Midnight Green
Let’s not forget what Slay brought to the table during his time with the Eagles. He wasn’t just a veteran presence-he was a playmaker.
In 74 games with the team, Slay racked up nine interceptions, 56 pass breakups, and three Pro Bowl nods. Last season alone, he broke up 13 passes and forced a fumble, showing he still had some juice left in the tank.
His ability to shadow top receivers and play with instinct in zone coverage made him a key part of the Eagles’ defensive identity for half a decade. So naturally, with Philly dealing with some uncertainty in the cornerback room, the idea of a reunion had some legs.
The State of the Eagles' Secondary
Right now, the Eagles are rolling with a mix of Adoree’ Jackson, Jakorian Bennett, and Kelee Ringo opposite standout rookie Quinyon Mitchell. It’s a group with potential but also plenty of question marks, especially when it comes to consistency and experience.
Fangio, for his part, said he’s most comfortable with Jackson at this point. “Yeah, at this point I would say so,” he noted, suggesting that while the rotation is still fluid, Jackson has the edge for now.
That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement of the depth behind Mitchell, and it’s why the Slay chatter had some staying power. His familiarity with the city, the scheme (albeit under a new coordinator), and the locker room made it an intriguing fit-on paper, at least.
But That Chapter's Closed-for Now
Any talk of a Slay return to Philly can be put to bed, though. He’s headed to Buffalo, where he’ll suit up for the Bills instead. It’s a move that ends speculation and keeps the Eagles focused on developing their current crop of corners.
So while Fangio didn’t completely dismiss the idea when asked, the outcome is clear: Slay won’t be walking back through the tunnel at Lincoln Financial Field in midnight green. Not this season.
And for the Eagles, that means the focus stays internal-finding the right mix in the secondary to support a defense still finding its identity under Fangio’s leadership.