Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Darius Slay, who recently retired from the NFL, finally revealed what happened during the 2025 season, when he chose not to play for the Buffalo Bills after being claimed on waivers.

The Steelers surprisingly released Slay on Dec. 2, shortly after he was demoted from the starting lineup in favor of special teamer James Pierre and was made inactive against the Buffalo Bills.

Advertisement

The Bills ended up claiming Slay on waivers. Slay, who only wanted to play for his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles, and was hoping to re-sign with them, declined to report to Buffalo.

In an appearance on the Flag on the Play Podcast, Slay explained what happened during the tumultuous time.

“I don’t know what Buffalo was thinking,” he said. “I told them way before. Look, I ain’t coming to Buffalo. I just ain’t. I love you. I appreciate that you believe in me. I’m not coming. It’s too cold. Yes I believe in Josh Allen. Yes I think he can do it. Yes I believe he could get us to the Super Bowl. I got one already. I’m good. You know what I’m saying? I’d rather be somewhere comfortable, where I want to be at.

“What’s crazy is I was supposed to be on a flight to L.A. and watch the Eagles play the Chargers and I’ll go fly back with the team on Monday. They called me Sunday when I was getting ready to book my flight to go down to L.A. and fly back with them boys, because I was going to be on the sideline, and all that. That’s what they wanted me to come for. So I’m like, bet, we know we’ll be with the Eagles.

Advertisement

“Man, them boys called me Sunday like, nah, we ain’t doing that. We will release you after we play them. And I’m like, aight, bet. During that time, that was like five week. I stopped running, being in shape. … But I was like yeah, F that shit, Slay. I’m done.”

The Eagles beat the Bills on Dec. 28, and appeared to be in good shape to win another Super Bowl, but were upset by the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card round on Jan. 11.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Ex-Steelers CB Darius Slay Explains Bizarre Situation with Bills after Backlash

Related Headlines