Long-time CB Darius Slay Jr. is retiring after 13 seasons

Tarohn Finley Mon, March 16, 2026 at 6:02 PM UTC

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Slay was a six-time Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro in 2017. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) (Joe Sargent via Getty Images)

Long-time cornerback Darius Slay Jr. announced on his Instagram on Monday that he is retiring after 13 NFL seasons.

Slay, 35, spent his first seven years with the Detroit Lions after being drafted in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. Slay's breakout year came in 2017, where he finished with 60 tackles, a career-high 8 interceptions, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble. Slay was named first-team All-Pro.

The Lions traded Slay to the Eagles in 2020 for a third-round pick and a fifth-round pick after tension between him and former Lions head coach Matt Patricia.

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In Philadelphia, Slay played for the Eagles for five seasons, including one season under Patricia after the two were able to come to an understanding. Slay won a Super Bowl in 2025.

Slay finished his career playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Slay played 13 games for the Steelers, posting a 58.6 PFF coverage grade, which was his worst grade since his final season in Detroit in 2019. He was waived by the Steelers in early December before being claimed by the Buffalo Bills. Slay did not report to the Bills and announced that he was contemplating retirement but he did not officially retire at that time.

Slay earned the nickname Big Play Slay at Mississippi State for forcing turnovers in crucial moments of games. He finished his NFL career as a six-time Pro Bowler and with 28 career interceptions.

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Source: “AOL Sports”