Such a state of affairs has been raised just lately, which means the transfer doesn’t come as an entire shock. Eyeing yet another yr within the NFL, Slay will now must discover a new dwelling for the second time in his profession. Schefter notes this can be processed as a post-June 1 reduce.
In consequence, the Eagles will see $4.32M in cap financial savings whereas producing a useless cash cost of $9.44M which may be unfold throughout two years. No assured wage remained on Slay’s pact for 2025, the ultimate yr of the deal. By shifting on this offseason, Philadelphia will keep away from paying out an choice bonus of roughly $5M which was due on September 1. Slay will formally grow to be a free agent initially of the brand new league yr.
A seven-year stint with the Lions led to 2020 when Slay was traded to the Eagles. He was a stalwart within the secondary throughout his time in Philadelphia, amassing three of his six Professional Bowl nods throughout that span. In fact, Slay’s tenure with the staff can be finest remembered for the 2 Tremendous Bowl appearances – together with one title – he performed a central function in.
Slay’s time with the Eagles gave the impression to be coming to an finish in 2023, however an agreement was reached permitting him to stay within the fold. The previous All-Professional racked up between one and three interceptions throughout every of his first 4 Philadelphia campaigns, however he was held with out one in the course of the common season in 2024. Slay was nonetheless a key determine on the Eagles’ run to the Tremendous Bowl. Nonetheless, the choice to make use of first- and second-round picks on the CB place in final yr’s draft (Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean) foreshadowed a parting of how.
While Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz notes an Eagles reunion (at a diminished price in comparison with the $16M Slay was owed for 2025) might be in play, the staff has different younger choices to show to. Mitchell, DeJean and Kelee Ringo are all connected to their rookie contracts whereas Isaiah Rodgers is a pending free agent however retaining him on a low-cost deal could be a priority for Philadelphia. Because the staff continues to transition to a youthful secondary, Slay ought to nonetheless have a notable market.
Any variety of suitors will pursue starting-caliber choices on the cornerback place, and even on the age of 34 Slay might function an efficient one-year rental. The Mississippi State product most well-liked to complete his profession with the Eagles, however he just lately famous a return to the Lions represented his next-best state of affairs. Carlton Davis is a pending free agent, and shedding him would depart Detroit in want of a first-team substitute.
Failing that, different groups might emerge particularly since Slay can be out there on a one-year pact (offered he intends to stay to his acknowledged timeline of retiring after the 2025 marketing campaign). It is going to be fascinating to see the place his last NFL marketing campaign takes place.
