Darius Slay’s potential return to the Detroit Lions could become a reality after a surprising move by the Eagles. The veteran cornerback, who had a solid seven-year stint with the Lions, went on to play five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. During his time with the Eagles, Slay played a crucial role in their Super Bowl-winning defense. However, the Eagles decided to part ways with the 34-year-old in an effort to create more cap space. Despite being cut, Slay isn’t ready to call it quits just yet and seems to be aiming for one last shot at another Super Bowl title.
On a podcast with Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, Slay mentioned that he still believes he has one more strong season left in him and expressed interest in returning to the Lions now that the team has built a winning culture under coach Dan Campbell. Even though Slay’s performance has slightly declined with age, he has shown that he can still perform at a high level, particularly in key playoff moments against top NFC teams.
The Lions, who need veteran leadership in their secondary, could greatly benefit from a reunion with Slay. While the team has younger cornerbacks like Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw, their progress has been slower than expected. Slay could serve as a valuable mentor, providing guidance to the next generation while also contributing on the field. With Detroit’s promising safety tandem of Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, Slay could help bolster the Lions’ defense, especially with the loss of defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and players like Carlton Davis in free agency. Though he may be aging, Slay still has enough left in the tank to play a key role in the Lions’ pursuit of a Super Bowl.
Slay’s time in Detroit, especially during the turbulent years, is increasingly being seen in a positive light. What better way to wrap up his career than by returning to the team that drafted him and helping them achieve their long-awaited Super Bowl victory?
