Eagles’ Darius Slay admits next year will be his “last” in NFL
Darius Slay spent seven years in Detroit Lions before joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020 as their star cornerback.
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Darius Slay (Image via CBS Sports)
Darius Slay, 34, recently revealed that he will be hanging up his cleats in 2026 after thirteen seasons in the highest professional football league in the United States. Slay, drafted thirty-sixth overall in 2013, spent seven seasons in Detroit before joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020.
In the past season, Slay has taken upon a mentorship role in the Eagles and focus on passing on the baton to younger cubs. As Slay concludes his 12th NFL season at 34 years old, he has been dedicated to mentoring Quinyon Mitchell and the Eagles’ young cornerbacks while also preparing for the next phase of his career.
In a recent interview with Ashlyn Sullivan of NBC Sports and 94 WIP, Slay suggested that 2025 could be his final season and might take place with another team. However, during the pre-Super Bowl LIX media session, he confirmed that next season would be his last and expressed his desire to remain with the Eagles.
Next year will most likely be my last. I would love for it to be with the Philadelphia Eagles, Darius Slay told the reporters.
Eagles CB Darius Slay on his future in the NFL:
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 5, 2025
“Next year will most likely be my last. I would love for it to be with the Philadelphia Eagles.”
One of the best to ever play the position. pic.twitter.com/Id3lHuYuXQ
Despite his age, the six-time Pro Bowler continues to perform at a high level. However, the 2024 season marked his first without an interception since his rookie year in 2013. Over the past two seasons, he has missed eight games due to injury, including a four-game absence in 2023 following knee surgery. With Slay set to turn 35 by the end of the 2025 season, retirement appears to be the natural next step.
The Philadelphia Eagles defense is better armed this time
Howie Roseman, considered one of the best NFL strategists, has been instrumental in preparing a roster and the support it needs. Roseman brought in Saquon Barkley in the offseason – Barkley has been elite producing over 2000 rushing yards in the regular season.
The Philly-based Birds are better armed than the last time around, much thanks to another Roseman deal during the offseason – Vic Fangio. In 2022, Philly’s defense looked impressive on paper under former coordinator Jonathan Gannon, finishing fourth in EPA per play and leading the league with 70 sacks—15 more than the next closest team.
However, much of that success came from overwhelming weak offensive lines and pressuring average quarterbacks, while elite signal-callers often exposed its flaws.
This year’s Eagles defense, under Vic Fangio, is a different story. Exceptionally disciplined, it ranks among the best units Fangio has coached in his 40-year NFL career. The team headed by veterans like Darius Slay has modeled and shaped rookies Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell, both of them finishing as DROY nominees.
The team swarms to the ball and prevents opponents from slowly chipping away with short gains. Their ability to generate turnovers has also been key, forcing 10 takeaways in the postseason—far surpassing the four they managed in three playoff games during their 2022 run.
Related: Lionel Messi will come to watch Patrick Mahomes possibly script sporting history at Super Bowl LIX
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Mohammed Bazim
(470 Articles Published)