Photo Credit: Mike Mulholland/MLive.com.

The Philadelphia Eagles just won the Super Bowl, but they are cutting their 6-time Pro Bowl Cornerback. Obviously, this is more of a cap savings move, as Slay is 34 and due $13.7M against the cap this season. They save $4.3M with the move. Slay was designated as a post June 1 cut, but it won’t affect his ability to be signed as a free agent.

Slay is coming off somewhat of a down year compared to his time in Detroit, where he recorded just 49 tackles and 0 interceptions. He also allowed a 78.3 QB rating when targeted, and 32 total catches. However, it was actually a bit better season statistically than the years past. On the bright side, he ranked 4th in passes broken up with 12, while playing only 14 games. He had a 67.6 overall PFF grade and a 68.9 coverage grade, which ranked 69th and 52nd among corners respectively. He allowed a completion rate of just 51.7%, down from the 64% the prior season. If you include the postseason, he had 16 PBUs, which rank 2nd, along with an interception.

Darius Slay was drafted to Detroit out of Mississippi State in 2013 with the 36th overall pick, and he has mentioned a return to Detroit is possible. Earlier this month while guest starring on the ‘St Brown Podcast’ he said, “I love Detroit, I got nothing but love, that’s my second home.” Slay was traded to Philadelphia in 2020, after he and Matt Patricia did not see eye to eye. All Lions fans have PTSD from the deal.

Play is a huge factor in this, Detroit likes man corners who can play the run, Slay played just 23.7% man coverage last year, which the Lions play a lot closer to 50% of the time, and he hasn’t been very good against the run for a few years now. Another huge factor is pay, Slay mentioned if he plays another season, Philadelphia and Detroit would be his top destinations. The only real way I entertain this is at the right price. The Lions don’t have the cap space we are used to anymore, and Slay isn’t an upgrade over Davis, who is also a free agent.

THE WHY:

Darius Slay is a Detroit guy, and he is not completely washed, nor is he the player he used to be. He would be a good veteran to add, as a leader and depth, but I don’t think I’d feel comfortable signing him to start. He would be perfect as our CB4 next year, in case of injury, or just in a rotational setting. I also believe adding Slay, or another veteran corner, would be a great way to bring Arnold and Rakestraw along as they enter their sophomore seasons. He also had a bit of a resurgence last year, especially in the playoffs. Once he was back healthy, he played pretty well last year. Depending on how much money he wants, it feels like a no-brainer move. Slay offers a former elite corners mind at minimum, and an above average corner on field at worst. I wouldn’t bring him in as a starter, but I feel he fits the culture, and would add something to the locker room, as well as depth.

THE WHY NOT:

Obviously, there are many reasons not to do this, but money is the big one. Slay could ask for anywhere from $5-$15M for a one year deal, which is all you will get out of him. At best, he will be a solid CB3 or 4 for us, who provides a veteran presence. At worst, he will be a depth piece, or injured. I do believe it makes the most sense to bring him in, as long as his cap hit is under $10M, and it doesn’t impede us from signing a true CB1 like Davis, which we still need. If slay wants anything more than $10 million, I walk. I also don’t know how motivated he is to play this season, coming off of a Super Bowl win at the age of 34. He may just be trying to get one more year of NFL checks.

SUMMARY:

Slay, 34, is an older solid corner that can add a veteran presence to help bring along the young guys. He was an above average corner last season, so he could also help us out as depth when needed. He had a better season last year than he had in the few years prior, but that doesn’t signal a career resurgence for Slay. I think as long as the deal is less than $10 million for one year, I’d do it. The preference would be 1 year $6.5 million, that way he gets a decent check but we can still sign the talent we so desperately need as we make a Super Bowl push.