If you weren’t familiar with Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay before last Sunday’s NFC Divisional Round clash against the Los Angeles Rams, you might mistake him for a much younger player.
Despite being 34 — a senior by NFL standards — the 12-year veteran and six-time Pro Bowler delivered a standout performance, logging six tackles and three pass deflections in a 28-22 victory. Slay looked like the best cornerback on the field, and he’ll likely maintain that status when the Eagles face the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game on January 26.
However, even with his impressive production, Bleacher Report speculates Slay could become a salary cap casualty in the offseason due to his $16 million salary in 2025.
According to Bleacher Report:
“Philadelphia now has a young core in place with Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Both have excelled as rookies, giving the Eagles an affordable and promising secondary for years to come. The team could save $4.3 million by releasing Slay after June 1. While it’s not a huge amount and they’d lose a talented player, it’s one of the limited financial moves available to them.”
Slay Among NFL’s Top Cornerbacks Since 2010s
After earning All-SEC honors at Mississippi State in 2012, Slay was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft (No. 36 overall). By his second season, he was a full-time starter, earning his lone All-Pro selection and first Pro Bowl appearance in 2017 when he led the league with eight interceptions.
Slay was traded from the Lions to the Eagles in March 2020 and signed a three-year, $50 million extension the same day. In 2023, he agreed to a two-year, $42 million contract extension with Philadelphia.
Despite the physical toll of his career, Slay has been remarkably durable, never playing fewer than 12 games in a season. Over 177 regular-season games (167 starts), he’s tallied 160 career pass deflections — the most among active players — along with 28 interceptions and five defensive touchdowns.
There’s also the possibility that Slay could retire if the Eagles win the Super Bowl, given his $110.1 million in career earnings through the 2024 season.
Eagles Boast Two Rising Stars in the Secondary
Rookies Quinyon Mitchell (a first-round pick) and Cooper DeJean (a second-round pick) have quickly emerged as elite cornerbacks. The current defensive scheme allows Slay and DeJean to play simultaneously, with DeJean manning the nickel corner spot. However, it’s unlikely the Eagles will limit DeJean’s development much longer.
Jeff Diamond of The 33rd Team named DeJean one of the “Biggest Steals” of the 2024 NFL Draft, writing:
“DeJean has been a key factor, along with first-round corner Quinyon Mitchell, in the Eagles’ dramatic improvement in pass defense. Ranked third in the league this year, the secondary has rebounded from a disastrous 31st-place finish last season, which contributed to the team’s late-season collapse.”
