The Philadelphia Eagles are set to release veteran defensive back Darius Slay according to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport. The 32-year-old from Brunswick, Georgia, made 55 tackles, three interceptions for 17 yards, and 14 pass breakups in 17 games for the Eagles in 2022. The Eagles will save $17.5 million in cap space with the release of Slay.
The Eagles acquired Slay from the Detroit Lions in 2020 for a third-round and fifth-round draft picks. Slay played three seasons in Philadelphia with 166 tackles, seven interceptions for 118 yards, one touchdown, two fumble recoveries, and 29 pass breakups in 48 games, of which 47 were starts.
The Detroit Lions drafted Slay in the second round (36th pick) in the 2013 NFL Draft. Slay played seven seasons in Detroit with 347 tackles, 19 interceptions for 265 yards, one touchdown, 104 pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble in 103 games, of which 94 were starts.
Darius Slay is a five-time Pro Bowler (2017-19, 2021, 2022), First Team All-Pro in 2017, and NFL interceptions co-leader in 2017.
Collegiately, Slay played two seasons at Itawamba Community College (2009-10) with 73 tackles, three interceptions for six yards, one sack, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, three catches for 63 yards, one touchdown, and eight punt returns for 99 yards, and one touchdown in 14 games for the Indians.
Then, Slay transferred to Mississippi State (2011-12) with 63 tackles, six interceptions for 173 yards, three touchdowns, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one blocked kick in 26 games for the Bulldogs. He was named Second Team All-SEC in 2012.
