The first game Darius Slay played for the Detroit Lions in his rookie season in 2013 is still fresh in his mind. He had started in that game against the Minnesota Vikings. However, the young cornerback was benched in the fourth quarter after giving up a long touchdown pass. He still remembers how, on his first ever defensive snap, Adrian Peterson left him biting the turf on the way to the end zone. So, the outing was not particularly great, but it was the first, after all.

“That first game was crazy,” Slay had said at Super Bowl 59 opening night. “My first game ever going against one of the greatest running backs ever, Adrian Peterson. My first play was him breaking my ankles and going 80 and then I got benched. So yeah, I remember that game. I could never forget that game.” 12 years later, he has come a long way from the rookie the Vikings picked on that September day and yet very much appreciative of his seven seasons with the Detroit Lions. And, despite being traded to the Eagles in 2020, thanks to the dysfunctional Matt Patricia era, he has nothing but love for the Lions.

“I got nothing but love for Detroit,” Slay had said on the Super Bowl night. “The Lions, man, for sure. That’s the team that took a chance on me, a kid from Brunswick, Ga. So it’s always nothing but love. I root for them every time. I want them to win every game besides the game I’m playing against them in. But yeah man, that’s home. That’s my second home for sure,” he had further added, also fondly recalling the training he received from the likes of Jim Caldwell and Calvin Johnson. Slay reiterated his love for the Lions once again later in February.

On an episode of the St. Brown Podcast on February 18, talking about his playing future, he said he would absolutely consider returning to Detroit if he and the Eagles parted ways this offseason. “I love Detroit. I got nothing, but love, that’s my second home, I do a lot for the city still, to this day. For sure, the two spots I would love to always be at is Philly or Detroit. The main two, the main ones I’d love to be at,” Slay had said. On this Monday, the stage for this was created in a surprising move by the Phillies.

The Eagles announced that they were releasing Slay. He was designated as a post-June 1 cut after reaching the playoffs in four of his five years with the Eagles. The 34-year-old could still return to Philly at a lower price point, according to NBC Sports’ John Clark, but he can also expect a decent market when free agency officially kicks off in a little over a week. So, speculations about his probable landing spot are up in the air and for obvious reasons Lions’ name is prominent there. Amid that, Pat McAfee further fueled it by reposting the clip of Slay’s February 18 conversation on the St. Brown Podcast.

Slay was an absolute beast when he used to play for the OnePride Nation. His best season came in 2017 when he led the league with 8 interceptions and 26 passes defended. He was named a first-team All-Pro in ’17, led the NFL in interceptions that same year, and was voted to the Pro Bowl from ’17 to ’19. But those were the years when Slay was still in his early twenties. Now in his mid-thirties, will Slay be a good option for the Lions? Well, the Lions are relatively set at the position with cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Amik Robertson holding it down. But a reunion at the right price does not look to be a wild idea. Meanwhile, his stint with the Eagles was also filled with highs.

He made three Pro Bowls and helped the Eagles reach the Super Bowl with the league’s best pass defense in 2022. However, he was nearly forced out of town after that game in a salary cap purge. After the Eagles lost to the Chiefs in Super Bowl 57, Slay was permitted to seek a trade before the start of free agency, then nearly released before finally reaching agreement on a new contract. This year, he’s started 14 games, held opposing quarterbacks to a 54.7% completion percentage on balls thrown his direction, according to Pro Football Reference. Interestingly, he took up the role of a veteran mentor in Philadelphia’s young secondary. And that indeed was a success.

The Eagles have 2 of the 5 finalists for Defensive Rookie of the Year in cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean and a third-year safety in Reed Blankenship who’s played a key role at defensive back. They led the NFL in pass defense in the regular season (174.2 ypg allowed) after ranking 31st last year (252.7 ypg).  “[the Eagles] took a chance on me, too, as well. Just come over there to change the back end of the DB room and I think I did that. I think I brought the Philly secondary back, in a way. Not saying that (it doesn’t) take everybody. I ain’t saying I’m just one person that did it. I was just the missing piece that (helped the) Philly secondary get back to what it was,” Slay had said. This is a significant reason why the Lions might consider including Slay in their squad.

Carlton Davis will soon be a free agent. Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw will be playing only their second season in the NFL. With that thought in mind, Slay could easily play the role of a mentor to the young Lions secondary. Still, his exit from Philadelphia does raise a few eyebrows. Actually, the most surprised one was Rams head coach Sean McVay. 

Sean McVay flabbergasted with Eagles’ decision to cut Darius Slay

McVay was just casually chilling on the show of Pat McAfee when the Eagles suddenly announced their decision to move on from Slay. And hearing the breaking news, McAfee was quick to announce it to McVay. However, the Rams HC was speechless, he didn’t say a single word. Yes, that was his reaction. McVay’s face said it all—how shocked he was hearing about Slay’s exit from Philly. Yes, Slay’s release does open up $4.32M cap space for the Eagles. However, he did leave a gaping hole in the Eagles secondary.

Now, the Eagles also have a veteran CB James Bradberry. However, not much is expected from him considering he tore his Achilles and missed the whole of last season. The one name you could start hearing more from now on could be Myles Garrett. Yes, it still seems impossible to happen. But in the NFL never say never. Until the very last second anything could happen. And the Eagles have shown they have the Championship winning mentality and a roster to go with. As for Garrett—he is also looking to win now. So, this could be a match made in heaven thanks to a sacrifice made by Darius Slay.

Meanwhile, if matchmakers are to be believed, already names other than the Lions have started pouring in for Slay. According to them, the Chiefs might be interested in him amid Travis Kelce’s potential retirement. While the Chiefs’ defensive backfield is currently equipped with two-time All-Pro Trent McDuffie on one side, the rest of the cornerback room, Slay would be an excellent option to play opposite the 24-year-old—and help Kansas City bulk up an otherwise stout defense. Some analysts are also throwing the Broncos and the Bills to the mix. Watch out this place to find out where Slay eventually lands.