Eagles Plan to Release Pro-Bowl CB Darius Slay
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 24: Cornerback Darius Slay #2 of the Philadelphia Eagles defends against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half at AT&T Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
The Eagles announced this morning that they are planning to release pro-bowl cornerback Darius Slay.
Slay, 32, was set to enter the final year of his contract, in which we would have been owed $26 million. This move comes on the heels of the news that the Birds resigned CB James Bradberry to a 3-year, $38 million deal yesterday.
The Eagles plan to designate Slay as a post-June 1st release, which allows them to free up $17 million in cap space.
In 3 years with the Eagles, Slay had 7 interceptions, including a pick-six, 29 passes deflected, and 166 total tackles, and was one of the highest-ranked corners in the NFL.
It was reported that the two sides had been working on an extension but were not agreeing on the terms. This prompted the team to allow Slay and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, to seek a trade last Friday.
Slay had a fantastic start to the 2022 season. Opposing quarterbacks had just a 37.2 passer rating against him through the first 8 games. However, his play declined in the second half, as opposing QBs had a 134.4 passer rating against him in the final 9 games.
Slay, a captain, also made some questionable decisions regarding his teammates. Most notably, calling out CB Josiah Scott after a loss to the Dallas Cowboys in December, in which Scott allowed Dak Prescott to complete a 52-yard pass to T.Y. Hilton on a 3rd and 30 play in the 4th quarter.
With Slay gone, the Birds will have one cornerback spot to fill, and with a deep cornerback draft class, as well as the 10th overall pick, Howie Roseman would be smart to draft a corner next month. Of course, Howie does have a checkered history when it comes to drafting cornerbacks. Sidney Jones and Rasul Douglas come to mind.
John Clark also reported today that the Eagles are making a “big push” to resign C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Perhaps this move was made with a CJGJ reunion in mind.
