Darius Slay is clearing the air. The veteran cornerback revealed why a potential move to the Buffalo Bills never materialized, and his reasoning had nothing to do with Josh Allen. Slay explained his thinking on the Jim Rome Show, citing loyalty over a new location.

While interacting with Jim Rome on the Jim Rome Show after announcing his retirement, the former Lions Slay commented on why he never joined quarterback Josh Allen in the Buffalo Bills. 

“...Not saying I don't have the utmost respect for Josh Allen, I think he is one of the best quarterbacks in this league, and I do believe they had a great shot at being a championship contender… I've got a lot of love and respect for that organization over there. Just the fact that where I'm at in my career, I was more like, hey, if I wasn't going to Philly, I wasn't probably going anywhere else. I ain't want to pack up and move,” he added. 

Slay was talking about the time he nearly ended up with the Bills. After winning the Super Bowl with the Eagles, he moved to the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, midway through the season, the Steelers released him, and before the Eagles could make a deal, the Bills swooped in and claimed him on waivers.

At the time, the Bills were 9-4 and were looking like serious championship contenders. Josh Allen was firing on all cylinders, and a cornerback like Slay would just bolster their defense. His numbers certainly proved it.

In 187 games, he made 623 total tackles, 1 sack, 164 passes defended, 28 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles. However, Slay did not report to the Bills, and as a result, he missed the entire season.

“It was more just about me. I didn't feel like moving. I didn't feel like packing up. I just really wanted to go to Philly or go home,” Darius Slay concluded. 

But that's not all. Slay has kept the door to return to the NFL open for just one team: the Eagles.

What It Would Mean if Former Lions Star Darius Slay Returned to the Philadelphia Eagles

"No team can call me but Eagles. No team can call me, everybody knows," he said on a clip making the rounds on social media.

Coincidentally, the Eagles are looking for a cornerback. Darius, with his experience and familiarity with Nick Sirianni’s training system, would be the best fit.  His career peaked with the Eagles, earning him three Pro Bowls. 

Darius’s ability to handle wide receivers would have allowed the defense to shift help elsewhere in the field. This move could further improve the coverage and efficiency of the Eagles' defensive line if Slay ever chooses to return.

What do you think about his decision to retire from the NFL? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Written by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar