A former Detroit Lions defender — and longtime fan favorite — is now looking for a new NFL home.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Pittsburgh Steelers are waiving veteran cornerback Darius Slay Jr. The move comes shortly after the Steelers signed fellow cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to the active roster from the practice squad.
Slay signed a one-year, $10 million contract with Pittsburgh in the offseason and carries a base salary of $1.26 million. That means teams such as the Lions or Indianapolis Colts — both of whom could use cornerback depth — could claim him off waivers.
If no team submits a claim by Wednesday’s 3 p.m. CT deadline, Slay would become a free agent able to sign with any NFL franchise.
The six-time Pro Bowler joined the Steelers in March after spending the previous five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, with whom he won Super Bowl LIX just a month earlier. In 10 games for Pittsburgh, including nine starts, Slay logged 36 tackles (one for loss), three passes defended, and one fumble recovery.
Currently, the NFL’s oldest active cornerback at 34, Slay began his career when the Lions selected him in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. Detroit remains his longest NFL stop — seven seasons, 103 games (94 starts), 28 interceptions (three returned for touchdowns), 104 passes defended, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
While Slay has expressed a desire to continue playing, it remains to be seen which teams — if any — will pursue the veteran.
Despite allowing only one touchdown in coverage this season, opposing quarterbacks have completed 75 percent of their passes against him with a 108 passer rating. Slay still offers veteran savvy and leadership, but those numbers will factor into any team’s evaluation.
Slay also earned First-Team All-Pro honors in 2017 during his time in Detroit, recording 60 tackles and eight interceptions.