The Steelers and veteran cornerback Darius Slay are going their separate ways, with both sides reportedly agreeing to part ways after Slay was a healthy scratch in Sunday’s matchup against the Bills. It’s a notable move, especially considering Slay’s pedigree and the timing-he’ll now go through waivers since the trade deadline has already passed.
Slay’s time in Pittsburgh never quite took off. After signing a one-year deal this past offseason, he struggled to make a consistent impact.
In 10 games, he was targeted 37 times and allowed 26 receptions for 302 yards and a touchdown. Opposing quarterbacks posted a passer rating of 103.7 when throwing his way, according to NFL NextGen Stats.
For a player with his résumé, those numbers are underwhelming, and the Steelers ultimately decided it was time to move on.
But now the question becomes: is a reunion with the Eagles on the table?
It wouldn’t be out of character for Philadelphia. General Manager Howie Roseman has a well-earned reputation for bringing back familiar faces, especially veterans who’ve proven they can thrive in the Eagles’ system.
Slay certainly fits that mold. He spent five seasons in Philly, earned three straight Pro Bowl nods from 2021 to 2023, and was a key piece of the defense during the Eagles’ Super Bowl run last season.
He started 14 regular season games and all four playoff contests in that championship campaign.
There’s also the off-field connection. Slay still has ties to the city and organization-he even showed up as a fan at the Eagles’ Week 5 game against the Broncos during Pittsburgh’s bye week. That kind of presence doesn’t go unnoticed in a locker room.
From a roster standpoint, the Eagles have been searching for stability at cornerback opposite standout rookie Quinyon Mitchell all season. They’ve cycled through options, most recently settling on Adoree’ Jackson.
While Jackson has flashed at times, injuries and inconsistency have kept the door open for change. Kelee Ringo, who had a shot to win the job in camp, hasn’t taken the step forward the team hoped for.
The Eagles also made a move for Jaire Alexander earlier in the year, but that plan fell apart when Alexander unexpectedly retired before ever taking the field in midnight green. They added Michael Carter II as well, but he’s more of a depth piece at nickel or safety. There’s been some talk of moving Cooper DeJean to the outside, but that’s not a long-term solution the coaching staff seems eager to commit to.
So, if Slay clears waivers and still has something left in the tank, Philly might be one of the few teams where a return would make sense-for both sides. He knows the scheme, the city, and the expectations. And while his numbers in Pittsburgh weren’t what we’ve come to expect from him, sometimes a change of scenery-or a return to familiar territory-is exactly what a veteran needs to get back on track.
At 34, Slay isn’t the shutdown corner he once was, but he doesn’t need to be. What the Eagles need is a steady, experienced presence on the outside to complement their young stars and help solidify a secondary that’s been in flux all year. Whether Slay can be that guy again remains to be seen, but don’t be surprised if the Eagles at least pick up the phone.