Quarterbacks and wide receivers have stolen all the headlines early this offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers. But a potential defensive addition is emerging for the Steelers about a week before the start of NFL free agency — Darius Slay.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on March 3 the Philadelphia Eagles released Slay. Hours after his release, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reported on March 3 that some of his sources “wonder” if Slay could be interested in signing with the Steelers because of defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.
Slay play for Austin when he served as defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions from 2014-17.
“Darius Slay wants to play one more year,” tweeted Jones. “His level of play dictates he’ll get a respectable offer and will likely want to go to a contender.
“Slay played for Teryl Austin for four year in Detroit. So some sources wonder if a potential reunion in Pittsburgh could happen.”
Darius Slay wants to play one more year, and his level of play dictates he’ll get a respectable offer and will likely want to go to a contender. Slay played for Teryl Austin for 4 years in Detroit, so some sources wonder if a potential reunion in Pittsburgh could happen.
Slay started 14 games for the Eagles in 2024. He posted 49 combined tackles, including three tackles for loss, 13 pass defenses and one interception during the regular season.
Slay also started all four playoff games and led the team with five pass defenses during the postseason. He didn’t have an interception in the regular season, but Slay intercepted Jordan Love in the Wild Card round.
In 12 NFL seasons, Slay has earned about $110 million.
Could the Steelers Sign CB Darius Slay?
Now that he’s set to be a free agent, Slay is an intriguing potential option for the Steelers.
Pittsburgh nabbed Joey Porter Jr. at No. 32 overall in the 2023 draft. But the Steelers have been unable to find a consistent quality starter to pair with Porter.
Two years ago, the Steelers signed former All-Pro Patrick Peterson, but he lasted just one season with the team. Last year, Pittsburgh traded wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers for veteran cornerback Donte Jackson.
Early in the 2024 campaign, Jackson was serviceable. But according to the Pro Football Focus player grades, he didn’t play as well in the second half of the season.
Overall, Jackson finished the 2024 campaign with a 49.4 PFF player grade. That made him one of the worst defenders on the Steelers defense. It was also the worst PFF grade Jackson has posted in his seven-year NFL career.
With Slay, the Steelers would again try the short-term veteran route to improve their pass defense. But with his previous experience in Austin’s system, Slay could be a natural fit on the Pittsburgh’s defense.
Slay is also coming off a much stronger season than Jackson had a year ago. Slay posted a 73.3 PFF player grade during 2024.
When Will Steelers Be Able to Sign Slay?
Rapoport reported the Eagles are releasing Slay as a post-June 1 release. By doing that, they will carry his $13.8 million cap figure for 2025 until the start of June.
But as a post-June 1 release, the Eagles will save $4.3 million against the salary cap this fall.
Typically, NFL players cannot begin talking to new teams until they are officially released. That won’t happen for Slay until June. But NFL insider Josina Anderson tweeted that likely won’t be the case for Slay.
“It’s my understanding that Darius Slay won’t have to wait until after June 1st to talk and negotiate with other teams — especially given the respect and affinity the Eagles have for him,” Anderson wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
It will be a big disadvantage to Slay if he can’t talk to new teams until the summer. By then, NFL clubs will not only have signed other free agents, but they will have new rookies, including undrafted free agents, that they might prefer over signing a veteran.
But if Slay can sign with a team in March, the Steelers are likely to be one of his possible destinations.
According to Spotrac, the Steelers possess the eighth-most cap space in the NFL.
