Eagles Pro Bowl DB petitioning for some playing time at WR
As Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson was speaking to reporters after practice on Tuesday, one of the team’s top cornerbacks approached him about getting some offensive reps.
Although Darius Slay is a five-time Pro Bowl CB, that isn’t stopping him from jokingly asking Johnson if he can get some reps at wide receiver — a proposition Johnson didn’t immediately dismiss.
"There's always Slay, there's always [Fletcher Cox]," Johnson said, via CBS Sports. "Defensively, I don't know. We've got some of these young guys, Jordan Davis, and I know Jalen Carter played some fullback at Georgia, too, so we'll see. There are always some chances of some creativity."
Slay, who’s played just two offensive snaps during his 10-year NFL career, suggested it would behoove Johnson to accommodate his request if he wanted the offense to have three 1,000-yard receivers (along with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, who combined for 183 receptions, 2,692 yards and 18 touchdowns last season).
It’s not the first time Slay has expressed his desire to play receiver. He jokingly told reporters last year he was going to convince head coach Nick Sirriani and former OC Shane Steichen, who’s now the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, to let him switch positions, stating he could be a 1,500-yard receiver with Jalen Hurts throwing him the ball.
“I know [Hurts] can get me the ball at any time,” Slay told reporters following a 48-22 win over the New York Giants in Week 14 last season. “I’m about to retire from this DB [expletive] and I’m going to go to receiver. … I’m calling coach tonight and we’re having a full conversation about it tonight.”
While Slay’s request to switch positions appears to be tongue-in-cheek, the Eagles likely wouldn’t seriously consider obliging his request at the expense of losing one of their best defensive playmakers.
Slay has seven interceptions, three defensive touchdowns and 30 passes defensed in his three seasons in Philly. He limited opposing QBs to a 54.7 completion percentage last season, which was ninth-best in the NFL among CBs with 500 or more coverage snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
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