Former Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay was on the verge of a reunion with his old team after being released by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Following his departure, speculation grew about him returning to Philadelphia. However, Slay has opted to join the Buffalo Bills.
Despite the missed opportunity, sources indicated that there was significant mutual interest between Slay and the Eagles. After the Steelers and Slay “mutually agreed to part ways” on December 2, the Eagles were eager to bring back a player who had enjoyed considerable success during his previous tenure in Philadelphia. The Eagles” secondary has been a concern this season, making the potential reunion even more appealing.
On December 3, a report revealed that the Eagles had indeed submitted a waiver claim for Slay. Unfortunately for them, the Bills had a higher priority on the waiver wire and successfully claimed Slay. Had the waiver process gone differently, Slay might have returned to Philadelphia.
An insider noted, “The Eagles also put in a claim for CB Darius Slay, hoping for their former starting CB to return to Philly. But Buffalo had priority and got him.” This outcome leaves the Eagles grappling with lingering uncertainties in their cornerback position.
Even though Slay”s performance had declined during his time with the Steelers, his potential return was seen as a much-needed upgrade for the Eagles. They have been dissatisfied with their cornerback play this season, with only a few players, including Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell, stepping up. Adoree Jackson has been the most reliable option, but even his performance has been less than stellar. The Eagles have struggled to find consistent play from their third cornerback throughout the year, adding to their concerns.
The defensive unit had previously found success under coach Vic Fangio, particularly against the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, largely due to the improved play of the defensive line. However, recent games against the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears highlighted the defense”s inability to maintain pressure, which contributed to their struggles.
With Slay now off the table, the Eagles face a challenging situation in improving their cornerback depth. They must focus on generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks, which can provide some relief for their secondary. The upcoming matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers presents a critical opportunity for the Eagles to test their defensive strategies, especially as they prepare to face either Trey Lance or a possibly injured Justin Herbert.
Regrettably, the Eagles will have to navigate these challenges without the presence of their former Pro Bowl cornerback, Darius Slay.
