The Philadelphia Eagles faced a tough crossroads this offseason - one of those classic NFL decisions where hindsight can be brutal. They had to choose between sticking with a familiar face in Darius Slay or leaning into youth with Adoree' Jackson and Kelee Ringo. Now, as the regular season barrels toward its final stretch, it’s becoming clear that neither path has led them where they hoped.
Let’s start with the current state of the Eagles’ secondary. It’s been rough - no sugarcoating that.
Jackson and Ringo have both struggled to hold their own in Vic Fangio’s defense, a scheme designed to mask weaknesses in the back end. But even that structure hasn’t been enough.
Opposing quarterbacks have been picking on them, and it’s showing up on film and in the numbers.
Meanwhile, Slay, who left Philly to join the Steelers, hasn’t exactly found a second wind in Pittsburgh. In fact, things have unraveled to the point where both sides are ready to move on.
With Asante Samuel Jr. back healthy and eating up snaps, Pittsburgh is letting Slay walk. He still wants to play - and he wants to do it for a contender.
On paper, that makes the Eagles a logical landing spot. But this is where Philly needs to be careful not to let nostalgia cloud judgment.
Slay is a respected veteran, no doubt. He brought swagger and leadership to the Eagles’ defense during his time in midnight green.
But the version of Slay we’re seeing now isn’t the same guy who locked down top receivers during his Pro Bowl years. He’s lost a step - and for corners, that’s often the beginning of the end.
Speed was always one of his calling cards, and without it, the margin for error gets razor-thin.
Let’s look at the numbers. According to Pro Football Focus, Jackson ranks 105th out of 110 qualifying cornerbacks.
Ringo isn’t far ahead at 81st. But Slay?
He clocks in at 71st - hardly a dramatic upgrade, and that’s while playing in a Mike Tomlin defense alongside Jalen Ramsey. If he couldn’t thrive in that environment, it’s hard to imagine him turning things around in Philly, especially with the Eagles already dealing with communication breakdowns and coverage lapses in the secondary.
This isn’t just about Slay’s decline - it’s about what the Eagles need right now. They’re in the thick of a postseason push, and while the secondary is clearly a weak link, plugging in a fading veteran isn’t going to magically fix things. Fangio may have to ride it out with what he has, coaching up the young guys and hoping the front seven can generate enough pressure to take some of the heat off the corners.
Slay’s career deserves respect. He was a cornerstone for the Lions, a key piece of the Eagles’ defense during their recent runs, and a player who brought energy and accountability to every locker room he entered. He may not be headed to Canton, but he’s absolutely in that “Hall of Very Good” conversation - a player who made a real impact, even if his peak years are now behind him.
But for the Eagles, the focus has to stay forward. The past was great, but the future demands more than just memories.