After a 13-year NFL career, cornerback Darius Slay is electing to hang up the cleats. The Super Bowl champion retires after spending most of his time with the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles, with a brief stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025. Slay was also claimed by the Buffalo Bills late in the season but never suited up for the team.
Across his stops, Slay forged strong relationships, and many former teammates and colleagues have already reached out to congratulate the 35-year-old on a spectacular career.
Social Media Erupts Following Darius Slay’s Retirement Announcement
Whether players were on Slay’s sideline or the opposing sideline, the respect was there. After Slay revealed the news via an Instagram post, plenty of his former teammates emerged in the comment section, with even a few former foes expressing their appreciation.
“Dear football, I wanna thank you for all you’ve done for me,” Slay wrote in his announcement. “I’ve been blessed to play the game I loved since I was 5yrs old for an amazing 13yrs at the highest level. Football was my peace, my joy, my everything. This game put me in a position to help take care of my family and loved ones and I’m forever grateful.”
“It’s hard to say goodbye, but God has a new chapter for me and I’m ready to turn the page and start my new journey,” Slay continued. “To all my BigPlay fans, I will always appreciate the love and support y’all have given to me. I couldn’t have done it without you. Just A kid from Brunswick, GA with BIG dreams… BigPlay on and off the field! We Out.”
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Leading the way in the comment section are three former Philadelphia Eagles, some of whom won a Super Bowl alongside Slay.
“Congrats, bro,” Eagles offensive lineman Lane Johnson said.
Former Philadelphia running back Kenneth Gainwell also chimed in, saying, “Big play Slay!!!”
Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers spent just one season with Slay in Philadelphia but was not shy about expressing his gratitude.
“Forever Big Play Slay,” Rodgers wrote.
Longtime rival and ex-Dallas Cowboy Micah Parsons may have been on the opposing side for the entirety of their careers, but he, too, appreciates Slay’s impact.
“We gonna miss you, legend!!” Parsons commented.
Safety Kevin Byard was an opponent for most of Slay’s career, aside from a 10-game stint together in Philadelphia during the 2023 season. Still, Byard had high praise for his fellow Mississippi State product.
Much respect dawg!! Legendary career 🤞🏾 #HallofFame https://t.co/7JKErLKvre
— Kevin Byard (@KevinByard) March 16, 2026
“Much respect dawg!!” Byard said. “Legendary career #HallOfFame.”
Players aside, insiders and analysts also took to social media to offer well-wishes and thanks to the six-time Pro Bowler.
Always fun to watch and a great sound bite for us during the week and especially after games. Appreciate that. Congrats to @bigplay24slay on a helluva career. https://t.co/YDl7aoI1qb
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 16, 2026
“Always fun to watch and a great sound bite for us during the week and especially after games,” NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said. “Appreciate that. Congrats to @bigplay24slay on a helluva career.”
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NFL insider Jordan Schultz also responded, saying, “Incredible career!”
Of course, we over at PFSN had to chime in as well.
It was a great run! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/8lbkbkl5UX
— PFSN (@PFSN365) March 16, 2026
While his numbers may have dipped in 2025, Slay ranked consistently in PFSN’s CB Impact metric. The 2017 All-Pro finished in the top 25 among cornerbacks for four straight years after tracking began in 2019. Between 2021 and 2024, Slay never dropped below an 83.1 impact score.
Slay’s performance on the field speaks for itself. It is the relationships that have already come to the forefront, expressing their gratitude, that build on the person he was throughout his career.
