ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that two days after Darius Slay was made a healthy scratch for the Steelers-Bills game, the cornerback and Pittsburgh have mutually decided to part ways.
The decision gives the 34-year-old cornerback the opportunity to pursue playing opportunities elsewhere to finish out the 2025 season. Schefter said Slay is interested in continuing to play, including this season.
The Steelers signed Slay to a one-year deal in March after he was released by the Eagles after five seasons in Philadelphia. Through 10 games this season, Slay recorded 36 tackles and one fumble recovery.
Ahead of the news of Slay’s departure on Tuesday, coach Mike Tomlin told reporters in his media availability that the decision to scratch Slay on Sunday was made so the team could see how his replacement, Asante Samuel Jr., performed. The coach said Slay has been injured several times this year, so the team wants to see how their backup will be.
Tomlin said, “Really it was less about Slay and more about getting the opportunity to see Asante Samuel.” “… Slay has missed some time due to a variety of injuries. … It was about taking a look at a guy who has started a lot of games in this league. And we did that, and we liked some of the things we saw.”
Tomlin basically ended that quote by saying that the Steelers will evaluate how to divvy up the work on the cornerback decision later in the week. However, Slay’s departure essentially pushed Samuel into that role.
We’ll see where, if anywhere, Slay lands before the 2025 season ends.
More NFL on Sports Illustrated
<a href=