The Darius Slay era in Philadelphia has been full of excitement, but it’ll be coming to an end soon, and the player who could be a future Hall of Fame cornerback has started to ponder retirement.
As Slay wraps up his 12th NFL season at age 34, he’s been focused on mentoring Quinyon Mitchell and the Eagles’ other young cornerbacks while looking toward the future. During his first preseason media session, Slay didn’t hide that the end was near and that he would “not be playing much longer.”
During a recent interview with Ashlyn Sullivan of NBC Sports and 94 WIP, Slay hinted that 2025 would be his final season and likely be played elsewhere. During a Super Bowl LIX media session, Slay confirmed that next season would be it, and he’d like to stay with the Eagles.
Darius Slay said next year will be it.
He wants it to be with the #Eagles
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) February 5, 2025
Slay has made six Pro Bowls in 12 NFL seasons. The Eagles cornerback and former Lions draft pick ranks seventh among active players with 28 career interceptions.
Slay has made the Pro Bowl in the last three seasons, logging nine interceptions, two touchdown returns, and 43 pass breakups in 60 games. Slay has avoided the normal decline cornerbacks face in their 30s, but he told Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia earlier this season, “I’m not going to just keep playing. I’m going to let these young guys eat. That’s what I’m here for, to make sure these guys get there. And when my time is up, it’s up.”
Slay is under contract in 2025 but has a $13,765,483 cap hit. Still, over the past five years, only seven cornerbacks aged 33 or older have started ten or more games in a season. Dallas Cowboys’ Stephon Gilmore started every game last season at 33.
Slay and Howie Roseman previously compromised on a contract with the help of Dom DiSandro. Would Slay again take a pay cut to play one final NFL season in Philadelphia?
