Eagles DB Darius Slay should return to Philly for final NFL season

Since arriving in Philadelphia via trade in 2020, Eagles cornerback Darius Slay has been just what the doctor ordered. The former All-Pro has been a Pro Bowl selection three times as an Eagle and helped solidify a cornerback position that had been a sore spot in Philly for nearly a decade. 

Notably, Slay served as a starter in Philly's convincing Super Bowl LIX victory over Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, helping the Eagles capture the franchise's second Super Bowl title. 

Now, after amassing an impressive 12-year NFL career, Slay intends to play one more season before hanging up his cleats.

During an interview on the "St. Brown Podcast," hosted by brothers and NFL wide receivers Amon-Ra and Equanimeous St. Brown, Slay reiterated his desire to play one more season. He said he'd like to finish the final year of his contract in Philadelphia, but he knows the business side might prevent that.

"I've got one more left [on my contract], but you know how that works," Slay said. "Whatever they want to do, I might re-sign back, hopefully. If I ain't, we'll see what I'm doing because I do want to play one more year, for sure."

Slay carries a cap hit of $13,765,483 next season, per Over the Cap. Philadelphia would owe $8.94 million in cap space if it designated Slay as a pre-June 1 cut, but the Eagles would have $4.32 million if they decided to designate Slay as a post-June 1 cut.

With DROY finalists Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean already rostered, the Eagles could move on from Slay in favor of the two budding stars.  

However, despite the emergence of young talent in the secondary, the Eagles would be wise to keep Slay in town. The 34-year-old has been an excellent mentor for Mitchell and DeJean and could continue to mold them into future Pro Bowlers. 

“I think anytime you have a veteran who is so transparent about his struggles as an early player, whether it's stuff on and off the field, and he shares those experiences with young guys, that’s so valuable,” Eagles secondary coach Christian Parker told reporters in New Orleans. 

“He really embraces that role because he had great leaders when he was a young player in Detroit. And so he really embraces the fact that he knew how impactful that was for him. So he tries to have the same impact for those guys. He's a phenomenal teammate."

Slay's teammates also spoke highly of him leading up to the Super Bowl.

“To have a guy like that who’s played for such a long time and is so willing to give back to us, his knowledge, what he’s learned throughout his career to us young guys, I think it’s great,” DeJean told reporters during Super Bowl week.

Keeping Slay in Philly will take a bit of effort, as he is unlikely to return under his current cap number. 

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman could suggest a contract restructure to lower Slay's cap hit — as they've done with Fletcher Cox and Lane Johnson in the past — to keep the six-time Pro Bowler in the City of Brotherly Love.

Regardless of his age, Slay has hardly lost a step. Still capable of shutting down opposing receivers while being a vocal leader and mentor, the Eagles would be wise to keep Slay in Philly for his swan song season.