Darius Slay reacts to Eagles' interest in Matt Patricia
Philadelphia is reportedly interested in former Lions HC Matt Patricia, and should he be hired, it could put its team captain, cornerback Darius Slay, in an awkward position.
The Boston Herald's Karen Guregian reported Sunday that Patricia "has a shot" of joining Philadelphia's defensive staff as linebackers coach. Patricia spent the past two seasons with the Patriots, serving as their de facto offensive coordinator in 2022.
Slay spent his first seven seasons with Detroit, playing his last two under Patricia, with whom he notably had a rocky relationship. Replying to a tweet from Hall of Famer Charles Woodson, the All-Pro corner addressed where he stands with his former HC.
Woodson responded to a story about Patricia once telling Slay he "wasn't elite," stating it shouldn't affect Patricia's potential hiring. "The player is gonna play doesn't mean he has to like him," he wrote.
Safety Quandre Diggs, Slay's former Lions teammate, and current Seahawk, first replied to Woodson's tweet, writing, "OG i love you but this situation totally diff!"
Slay chipped in, adding, "A lot different!!"
Diggs' comment sparked a debate with Woodson regarding Slay and Patricia's strained relationship. As that raged on, Slay replied to Woodson, stating that he would continue to do his job as a professional and leader on his team.
On Monday, Slay took two final shots at Patricia. In response to a tweet from another former teammate, safety Tracy Walker III, Slay echoed Walker's claim that Detroit was a chaotic environment under Patricia. Slay also chose to reply to a tweet in support of Patricia with laughing emojis.
There has been little change since Super Bowl week when Slay ripped Patricia, despite the possibility of him landing in Philadelphia. In an interview, Slay recounted an incident where he told Patricia that he was training with CBs Richard Sherman and Aqib Talib in the offseason.
"He basically just said, 'You are not in that category yet,'" said Slay. "By that time, I only had one Pro Bowl, but now I'm at five, so I want to know how he feels about that now. I don't wish bad on him, but as a man, me and him just don't get along.
"He's a smart coach," Slay continued. "He knows his X's and O's, but the disrespect is not what I'm with."
Patricia is technically on New England's staff as a senior football advisor, but the Patriots probably wouldn't mind if Philadelphia hired him, given last season's results. Even if he gets hired, Patricia probably shouldn't expect a warm welcome from Slay.
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