Eagles Reunion with Darius Slay Thwarted by Bills Claim
The Philadelphia Eagles were on the verge of reuniting with veteran cornerback Darius Slay, but the Buffalo Bills intervened, disrupting what seemed to be a foregone conclusion. Slay, who enjoyed a successful five-year stint in Philadelphia from 2020 to 2024, became a cap casualty following the Eagles’ triumphant Super Bowl LIX campaign. His subsequent move took him across the Keystone State, signing a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Struggles in Pittsburgh
Unfortunately for Slay, his time in Pittsburgh did not unfold as hoped. Approaching his 35th birthday on New Year’s Day, Slay’s performance began to wane. After starting nine games, his playing time diminished significantly, culminating in a healthy scratch for the Steelers during their recent loss to the Bills. The team opted to give more opportunities to Asante Samuel Jr., who was making his return to the field after an extended injury layoff.
Waiver Wire Drama
On Tuesday, the Steelers waived Slay, and he was quickly claimed by the Bills the following day. An NFL source confirmed that the Eagles had also placed a claim on Slay but were narrowly edged out by Buffalo on the waiver wire. This turn of events left Philadelphia fans pondering what could have been, as a reunion with Slay would have reunited him with familiar faces, including defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and several former teammates.
Slay’s Future in Jeopardy
As the dust settled, Slay made the decision not to report to Buffalo, opting instead to take time away from the game to contemplate his future. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, conveyed Slay’s gratitude for the Bills’ interest, stating, “Slay is honored that a first-class organization like the Bills claimed him, but he is going to take some time away from football right now and decide in the next few days if he wants to keep playing.”
Had the Eagles successfully claimed Slay, he was reportedly prepared to join the team, rekindling connections with those he had once shared the field with in Philadelphia. For now, Slay’s next steps remain uncertain as he weighs his options in the wake of a tumultuous season.
