One day after the Steelers cut ties with Darius Slay, he was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills. However, the six-time Pro Bowler has refused to join the AFC East club and is contemplating retirement in a surprise turn of events.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, agent Drew Rosenhaus said that his client is taking “some time away from football right now and decide in the next few days if he wants to keep playing.”
The Philadelphia Eagles reportedly put a claim in for Darius Slay, but the Bills had the higher waiver priority and got the 34-year-old instead. Slay played for the Eagles from 2020 to 2024, leading them to two NFC Championship wins and a victory in Super Bowl 59.
Slay appeared in 10 games for the Steelers and struggled mightily in coverage. Per Pro Football Reference, he allowed a 75.0 completion percentage and 108.0 passer rating when targeted.
Darius Slay’s Decision Stings The Buffalo Bills
Slay was never a good fit in Pittsburgh, but there’s reason to think he could have turned a corner in Buffalo. The latter has worked with plenty of stud cornerbacks during his coaching career. This includes Asante Samuel in Philly, Josh Norman in Carolina and Tre’Davious White and Christian Benford in Buffalo.
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Darius Slay’s big-game experience could have been a vital addition to a Buffalo team that hasn’t gotten over the hump. And who knows? Perhaps a change of scenery would have helped him return to that pre-Steelers form.
However, the Bills must move forward with their current group of corners. Benford is a budding star in Buffalo. And rookie Maxwell Hairston has been excellent after missing most of the first half with a knee injury. We’ll see if this group can finally help Buffalo break through in the wide-open AFC.
