The first factor is that he’s nearing the end of his career. Slay, a second-round pick in 2013 who just wrapped up his 12th NFL season, is now 34 years old and has played over 11,000 professional snaps.
He remains one of just nine players selected within the top 50 picks that year who are still active.
The second factor is that only two teams are on his list for finishing his career: the Philadelphia Eagles or Detroit Lions.
Slay’s current contract keeps him with the Eagles through 2025, but he carries a cap hit of nearly $13.8 million.
If released with a post-June 1 designation, the team would free up about $4.3 million in cap space, which could be valuable as they aim to build on their recent Super Bowl victory.
“I’ve got one more left, but you know how that works,” Slay said on the latest episode of the St. Brown Podcast, hosted by Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
“Hopefully, I can re-sign, but if not, we’ll see what happens because I definitely want to play another year.”
St. Brown made his recruiting pitch, asking Slay about his love for Detroit. Slay, who spent his first seven seasons with the Lions before being traded to the Eagles for mid-round draft picks in March 2020, spoke fondly of the city.
“Oh, I love Detroit. Nothing but love for it. That’s my second home. I still do a lot for the city to this day.
A lot of guys from Detroit who are now in the league were hanging around me when they were just high school kids.
That’s the crazy part,” said Slay, specifically mentioning Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner (Jets), Jourdan Lewis (Cowboys), Avonte Maddox (Eagles), and Donovan Peoples-Jones (Lions) as players he mentored.
“I’ve done a lot for the city, and that’s why I have so much love for it.”
The Lions may have an opening at outside cornerback, depending on free agency talks with Carlton Davis III.
Acquired via trade from the Buccaneers last offseason, Davis started 13 games in 2024 before suffering a broken jaw in Week 15.
Davis earned a 74.5 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus, the highest by a Lions outside corner since Slay posted a 75.0 in 2018 (minimum seven games).
Slay, who recorded a 73.3 grade in 2024 while starting 18 games and helping the Eagles win Super Bowl LIX, reaffirmed his preferred destinations.
“For sure, the two spots I’d love to stay are Philly or Detroit,” he said.