New Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Darius Slay is aware of the level of competition he chose when he signed with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin’s team. Slay weighed in on who’s the more dangerous quarterback between Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow.
Darius Slay Details Why Lamar Jackson Is Such a Headache For Defenses
As Slay begins his time with Pittsburgh, he’s getting familiar with his new surroundings. He also appears to be readying himself for four matchups that the Steelers will have during the upcoming season.
The Steelers play the Bengals on Oct. 16 and Nov. 16. Pittsburgh squares off with the Ravens on Dec. 7 and in Week 18 at a date to be determined. During those games, Slay and fellow Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. will be tasked with slowing the Bengals’ Burrow and the Ravens’ Jackson, two of the best passers in the NFL.
Slay was asked by NFL reporter Mina Kimes which offense and signal-caller is a bigger challenge.
“Probably Lamar because the fact that he can extend plays,” Slay said. “And as a corner, you hate when plays are extended because you’ve got to keep chasing the receiver around the field. And with Joe Burrow, he’s a different person as in just … he’s very mobile as well, but the fact that he can throw very well, deep ball accuracy is great, so you really gotta worry about ball placement with him.”
New Steelers CB Darius Slay is in a division now with two of the best QBs in football. Which offense presents a greater challenge—BAL or CIN?
Had fun interviewing him about his new team, the Super Bowl, underrated receivers and more: https://t.co/mXaninyDmF pic.twitter.com/Ew8ptcht8N
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) June 19, 2025
Jackson can argue that he’s the most athletic quarterback not just of his generation, but of all time. Last season, he broke Michael Vick’s record for career rushing yards by a quarterback.
During that game when he surpassed Vick, Jackson broke free for a 48-yard rushing touchdown in which he reached 21.25 mph, the third-fastest speed reached by someone at his position during the Next Gen Stats era.
“I was jogging,” Jackson said after. “I was straight. I didn’t have to do anything.”
Jackson needed 41 fewer games than Vick to reach that threshold. Through seven NFL seasons, he’s totaled 6,173 yards and 33 touchdowns with his legs. A season ago, he racked up career bests with 4,172 yards and 41 touchdowns. He added 915 rushing yards and four scores.
For defenders, it’s almost like dealing with double the workload. If Jackson doesn’t take off, then he can keep a play alive until finding an open target downfield, which is a pain for guys like Slay.
“Always two plays in one with Lamar,” Slay said. “Like, almost every play.”