A familiar face could emerge as a potential solution for the Detroit Lions as they look to address their cornerback issues this offseason. The team may have a significant need at the position with Carlton Davis set to hit free agency. If Davis departs, the Lions could be forced to rely heavily on the two corners they drafted last season. However, a player they drafted over 10 years ago appears open to helping them solve this problem. Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay is viewed as a potential release candidate this offseason as he enters the final year of his $42 million contract. Should that occur, it seems the Lions would be his preferred destination for his next team.
In a February 19 appearance on “The St. Brown Podcast,” Slay expressed his desire to play one more NFL season, stating that he would like it to be with either the Eagles or the Lions. Slay remarked, “For sure the two spots I would love to always be at is Philly or Detroit.” Slay had a successful stint with the Lions after they selected him 36th overall in the 2013 draft. Over seven seasons with the team, he earned three Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro honor. He also tied for the league lead in interceptions at one point.
During that time, he accumulated 104 passes defended, 19 interceptions, and 347 total tackles. Slay has spent the last five seasons with the Eagles and played an important role on their Super Bowl-winning roster this past season. In his 12th NFL season, Slay limited opposing quarterbacks to a 54.7% completion rate and 6.1 yards per attempt when targeting him. At 34 years old, there will be concerns about Slay’s potential decline, but he could still be a valuable asset for a Lions cornerback group that currently has several uncertainties. While the Lions would still need to make a bigger move at the position to elevate their defense, a six-time Pro Bowler who recently contributed to a Super Bowl-winning team could be a solid fit.