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Former Lions All-Pro Darius Slay released by Eagles, says he's open to return to Detroit in 2025

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Mike Payton | Last updated Mar 3, 2025 3:14 PM ET

Detroit Lions fans may never forgive Matt Patricia for this one. In 2019, the Lions had an All-Pro cornerback in Darius Slay. Then Patrica damn near made it his entire job to chase him and a bunch of other really good players out of Detroit.

The Lions traded Slay to the Eagles and he continued to be a great cornerback there. Slay won his first Super Bowl just a few weeks ago. Now he's hitting the open market as the Eagles have decided to part ways with him.

Eagles are releasing six-time Pro-Bowl CB Darius Slay, per sources.

If he is designated a post-June 1 release, the Eagles will save $4.3 million against the cap. pic.twitter.com/tUq4ScIK79
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2025

Slay was recently on the St. Brown Bros podcast and he said the two places he'd like to play in 2025 are with the Eagles and the other is a return to the Lions.

"Detroit, that's my second home. I do a lot for the city. Still to this day." Slay said. When St. Brown said that it sounded like Slay wouldn't mind coming back, this was Slay's response: "Oh not at all. But you know what I'm saying, if it is it is if it ain't it ain't. For sure, the two spots I would love to always be at is Philly and Detroit."

"For sure the two spots I would love to always be at is Philly or Detroit."

Eagles CB Darius Slay makes it clear he still wants to play at least one more year and, if it isn't with the Eagles, he isn't ruling out a return to Detroit. pic.twitter.com/k3GtTtqCOH
— St. Brown Podcast (@StBrownPodcast) February 19, 2025

Slay is 34-years-old and isn't really the Pro Bowler that he once was, but he is still a good player and would serve a big role in Detroit as a guy who can be a very good depth corner and rotational guy. The Lions dealt with so many injuries on defense last year that it would be a lot of help for them to find solid depth in free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft.

We'll see what happens in due time, but a return to Detroit would just feel so good for Slay.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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