Such a state of affairs has been raised just lately, which means the transfer doesn’t come as an entire shock. Eyeing yet one more yr within the NFL, Slay will now must discover a new house for the second time in his profession. Schefter notes this will probably be processed as a post-June 1 minimize.
In consequence, the Eagles will see $4.32M in cap financial savings whereas producing a lifeless cash cost of $9.44M which might be unfold throughout two years. No assured wage remained on Slay’s pact for 2025, the ultimate yr of the deal. By shifting on this offseason, Philadelphia will keep away from paying out an choice bonus of roughly $5M which was due on September 1. Slay will formally develop into a free agent in the beginning of the brand new league yr.
A seven-year stint with the Lions led to 2020 when Slay was traded to the Eagles. He was a stalwart within the secondary throughout his time in Philadelphia, accumulating three of his six Professional Bowl nods throughout that span. In fact, Slay’s tenure with the crew will probably be greatest remembered for the 2 Tremendous Bowl appearances – together with one title – he performed a central position in.
Slay’s time with the Eagles seemed to be coming to an finish in 2023, however an agreement was reached permitting him to stay within the fold. The previous All-Professional racked up between one and three interceptions throughout every of his first 4 Philadelphia campaigns, however he was held with out one through the common season in 2024. Slay was however a key determine on the Eagles’ run to the Tremendous Bowl. Nonetheless, the choice to make use of first- and second-round picks on the CB place in final yr’s draft (Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean) foreshadowed a parting of how.
While Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz notes an Eagles reunion (at a lowered price in comparison with the $16M Slay was owed for 2025) might be in play, the crew has different younger choices to show to. Mitchell, DeJean and Kelee Ringo are all hooked up to their rookie contracts whereas Isaiah Rodgers is a pending free agent however retaining him on a low-cost deal could be a priority for Philadelphia. Because the crew continues to transition to a youthful secondary, Slay ought to nonetheless have a notable market.
Any variety of suitors will pursue starting-caliber choices on the cornerback place, and even on the age of 34 Slay may function an efficient one-year rental. The Mississippi State product most well-liked to complete his profession with the Eagles, however he just lately famous a return to the Lions represented his next-best state of affairs. Carlton Davis is a pending free agent, and dropping him would go away Detroit in want of a first-team alternative.
Failing that, different groups may emerge particularly since Slay will probably be out there on a one-year pact (offered he intends to stay to his said timeline of retiring after the 2025 marketing campaign). Will probably be attention-grabbing to see the place his ultimate NFL marketing campaign takes place.
