Darius Slay seems to have agreed to terms on a deal to join the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, but Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio says hold the phone.
“Cornerback Darius Slay reportedly agreed to terms earlier today with the Steelers. He has not,” Florio reported. “Per a source with knowledge of the situation, there’s “no deal yet” in place for Slay. Slay is indeed talking to the Steelers. The Eagles also might keep him.
“Slay remains under contract with the Eagles, but he has permission to speak to other teams to discuss a possible trade. Nothing is expected to be finalized until Wednesday.”
After FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported earlier this afternoon that the Philadelphia Eagles CB was headed to Pittsburgh, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said no deal is done. Still, they are “in talks,” and there is “mutual interest.”
About an hour later, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette insider Gerry Dulac reported that the Steelers had agreed to a deal with Slay. However, he later clarified that Slay has to officially be released before he can sign a deal.
We already knew that no deal could be signed but that Slay had permission to speak with teams. Slay was reportedly set to be a post-June 1 release, but Schultz, who made that report last week, noted that it was still possible he could return to the Eagles.
According to Florio, his permission to speak to other teams was to find a trade partner. That seems curious, that the Eagles are possibly making a last-ditch effort to see if they can get something in return for parting ways with the veteran corner.
Hopefully, we will continue to receive more clarifying reports. Otherwise, we should know for sure on Wednesday, when all of the contract terminations and movements occur, at the start of the new league year. With Slay being designated a post-June 1 release, the Eagles have no hard deadline to release him on Wednesday. There is an outside chance it could drag on a little longer.
