Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Darius Slay. Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Steelers, veteran CB agree to part ways before season's stretch run

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Dec 2, 2025 4:54 PM ET

Most NFL fans wouldn't have expected one of the league's worst defenses to be that of the Pittsburgh Steelers . One player who was expected to boost the Pittsburgh defense this season was veteran cornerback Darius Slay. However, that has not been the case, and his time with the Steelers ended on Tuesday.

Steelers, Darius Slay agreed to release

According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, Slay and Pittsburgh mutually agreed to part ways. It follows a disappointing stint where Slay played in 10 of 12 games, amassed 36 total tackles and recovered one fumble.

Steelers and CB Darius Slay have mutually agreed to part ways, Slay’s agents Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey told ESPN. Slay is interested in continuing to play, and will consider signing with other teams. But his time in Pittsburgh has come to an end. pic.twitter.com/hyHdBotxkm
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 2, 2025

Slay was a healthy inactive in his final game on the Pittsburgh roster and will now be free to sign elsewhere for the remainder of the season.

Potential landing spots for Darius Slay

It's unclear where Slay might end up if he finishes the season. One possible destination could be a reunion with the Philadelphia Eagles as a vocal veteran leader. Other options include the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, both playoff hopefuls with bottom-five pass defenses this season.

A fresh start might be what Slay needs to return to the Pro Bowl level he's reached six times in his 13-year career.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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