Veteran cornerback Darius Slay, claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills on Wednesday, is not expected to report to the team as he considers stepping away from football.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported: “Breaking: Veteran CB Darius Slay, whom the Buffalo Bills claimed on waivers Thursday, is unsure if he wants to continue playing and will not be reporting to Buffalo. Slay’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN that ‘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.’”
Slay, 34, became available after parting ways with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday. He was inactive for Pittsburgh’s loss to Buffalo, marking his second straight missed game after a concussion sidelined him earlier in November. Though cleared from the injury report last week, the Steelers opted to elevate Asante Samuel Jr., leaving Slay as a healthy scratch.
Slay, who turns 35 on Jan. 1, is weighing retirement after a 13-year career highlighted by six Pro Bowl selections, a first-team All-Pro season in 2017, an NFL-leading eight interceptions that same year, and two fumble-return touchdowns in 2021. Including postseason play, he has appeared in 198 games with 28 interceptions and 655 tackles, helping Philadelphia secure an NFC title in 2022 and a Super Bowl championship in 2024.
Before arriving in Pittsburgh on a one-year deal this season, Slay spent five years in Philadelphia and seven seasons with the Detroit Lions, who originally drafted him in 2013. He appeared in 10 games for the Steelers this year, starting nine and posting 36 tackles, three pass breakups, a fumble recovery, and one tackle for loss.
Both the Eagles and Lions, his former teams, reportedly submitted waiver claims, but Buffalo’s higher priority secured his rights should he choose to continue playing. His addition would have bolstered an 8-4 Bills squad currently fighting for AFC playoff positioning and fielding a secondary led by veterans Christian Benford, Jordan Poyer, Tre’Davious White, Taron Johnson, and first-round pick Maxwell Hairston.
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