Report: Eagles releasing Darius Slay with post-June 1 designation

The Philadelphia Eagles are releasing starting cornerback Darius Slay with a post-June 1 designation, according to a report from NFL insider Adam Schefter.

This news hardly comes as a major shock. There was thought that the Eagles could move on from the 34-year-old defender, who was set to enter the final year of his contract in 2025 with a $13.7 million cap number. With Slay’s release, the Eagles will realize $4.3 million in cap space cleared after June 1.

Just because the Eagles are making this move doesn’t mean Slay DEFINITELY won’t be back in Philly next season. The Eagles were reportedly set to designate Slay as a post-June 1 release in March 2023 before he ended up remaining in Philly on a new contract. The Eagles also officially released Fletcher Cox as a post-June 1 designation in the past before shortly re-signing him. John Clark reports it’s possible Slay “could come back with the Eagles at a lower number.”

But it’s also quite possible this is truly the end of the road for Slay in Philly this time around. The Eagles have a duo of very promising young cornerbacks in Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Kelee Ringo has shown potential and could be ready for a bigger role. It’s also possible the Eagles could re-sign Isaiah Rodgers, who will be a free agent.

Slay is a team captain and he played well in 2024 but cornerback is a position where players typically don’t tend to age well (see: James Bradberry falling off a cliff after 2022). The Eagles have limited resources to work with and they could be best served to move forward with their younger and less expensive options.

If Slay doesn’t return to the Eagles, the Detroit Lions are the team to watch for his next landing spot. He recently expressed interest in returning to the club that originally drafted him in 2013.

The Eagles acquired Slay in a trade with the Lions back in 2020. Although he struggled during his first season in Philly, he rebounded with three Pro Bowl honors over the next four years. Not to mention serving as a key contributor to the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX victory season.

Whether he’s played his last snap as an Eagle or not, Slay will be remembered fondly in Philly.

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