The Buffalo Bills were looking to bolster their cornerback depth when they claimed veteran Darius Slay off waivers on Wednesday.
It seems they may have to look elsewhere.
On Thursday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news that Slay would not be reporting to Buffalo. In a statement provided by Slay’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, the cornerback is deciding whether or not he wants to continue playing in the league.
“(Darius) Slay is honored that a first-class organization like the Bills claimed him, but he is going to take some time away from football right now and decide in the next few days if he wants to keep playing,” Rosenhaus told Schefter.
Slay, 34, has struggled in 2025, so it’s not surprising that he is taking time to decide whether to play in Buffalo or retire. The veteran signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the offseason worth $10 million, but Pittsburgh did not get much back on the investment. In 10 games with the Steelers, Slay has recorded three passes defensed, one fumble recovery, 36 total tackles and one tackle for loss. The cornerback and Steelers agreed to a mutual parting of ways after he was a healthy scratch last week against the Bills.
Buffalo was not the only team to put in a claim on Slay. His former team, the Philadelphia Eagles, also put in a claim, but Buffalo had priority. In 2024, Slay thrived in Philadelphia. He recorded career-bests in completion percentage, yards allowed, yards per attempt, pass breakup rate and more.
Slay was expected to serve as depth behind Christian Benford, Tre’Davious White and Max Hairston. Buffalo released Ja’Marcus Ingram to make room for Slay, but could look to sign the cornerback back to the roster while Slay makes his decision.