On Wednesday, the Eagles hinted at releasing Darius Slay, only to change their mind on Thursday to keep one of their top defenders for the upcoming season.
In light of the looming release, Slay and his wife said their goodbyes to their Philly fanbase, but the five-time Pro Bowler was never officially cut.
Less than hours later, it was very different situation.
“Back like I never left!!!,” Slay tweeted Thursday afternoon with an eagle emoji. “Run it back!”
If made official, it will be Slay’s fourth season with the Eagles.
The bizarre storyline began Wednesday night when CBS reported the Eagles were having release remorse and “still wish they could keep him.”
The back-and-forth reports come at an interesting time, as the Eagles re-signed fellow cornerback James Bradberry on Tuesday, making it seem it’s likely a trade was in the works.
Cornerback Darius Slay is now expected to stay in Philadelphia with the Eagles despite a release hiccup one day prior.APThe Eagles gave Slay an opportunity to explore trade options with his agent Drew Rosenhaus while negotiating a possible extension.
Now, it appears Philly will get to keep both its starting outside cornerbacks.
Together, they accounted for six interceptions for 71 yards and 99 combined tackles last season, along with a sole touchdown for Bradberry in the first game of the 2022 season against the Lions — his first in his seven-year NFL career.
Darius Slay of the Philadelphia Eagles tackles Jerick McKinnon of the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium.Getty ImagesAnother looming move — one that Eagles fans have not let go of — is to bring back free agent safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
And the move may be more possible now, as the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Slay’s new contract does not contain any new money agreements, which will help clear up cap space for the Eagles.
Coming back to the Eagles may not be all good news for Slay, however, after his first Super Bowl foray last season.
Former Lions coach Matt Patricia, with whom Slay had an icy relationship with in Detroit, is reportedly a candidate to join the Eagles staff.
In 2013, Slay was drafted by Detroit in the second round (36th overall) and spent seven seasons there, making two wild-card playoff rounds and setting his career-high eight interceptions and 26 pass deflections in 2017.
During his tenure with the Eagles, Slay has accumulated 31 pass deflections, seven interceptions for 114 yards, and one touchdown.
