Drama is stirring in the NFL, as veteran cornerback Darius Slay made his intentions for next season very clear. He might be in the twilight of his career, but he’s not done yet. After winning his first Super Bowl ring at 34, he’s still looking for more.
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With more NFL years behind him than in front, Slay isn’t chasing paychecks anymore. His team selection process is guided by comfort and legacy. After previously turning down a move to the Buffalo Bills, the veteran now made it clear he’s only open to playing for the Philadelphia Eagles.
“No team can call me but Eagles,” he said. “No team can call me, everybody knows.”
Slay spent a highly successful five years with the Eagles. After getting traded to the Eagles in 2020, he went on to establish himself as a staple in the secondary (85.5 PFSN Defense Impact). The veteran was part of three top-10 defenses during the five years he spent in the city, culminating in their Super Bowl 59 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
It was a fruitful run that began with humble beginnings up in Motown, where he spent the first seven years of his career with the Detroit Lions. He was tutored by former New England Patriots defensive mind Matt Patricia; however, the corner was only once part of a top-10 defense in Detroit.
His stint with the Eagles stands was a highlight of his long career, reinforcing his desire to play for no one else. Not even playing for the legendary Mike Tomlin at the Pittsburgh Steelers last season could convince him otherwise. Slay’s refusal to play for teams isn’t new to the sports world or the NFL.
When Eli Manning was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 2004, he and his family opposed his playing for the franchise. They traded him to the New York Giants, where he won two Super Bowls.
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John Elway stands as a similar case study. When he was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1983, he told them he’d go play baseball if they didn’t trade him. As such, they sent him to the Denver Broncos, where he won two Super Bowls and built a Hall of Fame career.
Legendary running back Bo Jackson had a dispute with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who drafted him in 1986. As a result, he abandoned them and later played for the LA Raiders, where he made the Pro Bowl as one of the most exciting rushers in the league at the time.
#UPDATE: Slay announced his retirement from the NFL shortly after our article was published.
