On Wednesday, the Philadelphia Eagles cut star corner Darius Slay, adding an elite defensive back to the 2023 NFL free-agent market.
The Eagles’ cap-cutting measures continued this week as the team made the tough decision to release five-time Pro Bowler Darius Slay. The move was not a major surprise after they allowed him and his agent to seek out a trade last week. Obviously, they were unable to land a deal worthwhile enough for Philly, and the franchise cut ties with their top defensive back after three seasons.
Related: Philadelphia Eagles release five-time Pro Bowler
The blow of losing Slay was eased after the Eagles re-signed veteran James Bradberry on Tuesday, but the team’s massive loss is sure to be a huge gain for the plethora of teams that will be interested in landing the 32-year-old’s services.
With that in mind, here are four teams that are likely to make a run at Darius Slay over the next few weeks in NFL free agency.
- Darius Slay stats (2022): 55 tackles, 3 interceptions, 14 passes defended
Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders were a major disappointment overall in 2022, however, their defense was far more of a weakness than their offense. They were bottom 10 in points against in the league last season and were easy to beat in the secondary. With the team being major players in NFL free agency so far after signing Jimmy Garoppolo and Jakobi Meyers, it might be time to throw some of that excess money at their defense by adding an impact player like Darius Slay to their secondary.
Detroit Lions
Before Los Angeles Rams superstar Jalen Ramsey was traded to the Miami Dolphins, the Detroit Lions were reportedly interested in making a trade for the star cornerback. Since trading Slay away in 2020, the Lions’ defense has progressively gotten worse and hit a low point last season. They are desperately in need of a boost in their secondary, and a reunion with the player they took in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, and who became a three-time Pro Bowler for the team, would make a lot of sense this year.
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are the worst-ranked team in our latest NFL defense rankings, and that is in large part because of their poor play in defending opponents passing attacks. If anyone could use an influx of elite talent on defense, and that has the money to deal out, the Cardinals should be at the front of the line to bring the 10-year NFL veteran to Arizona next season.
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears entered NFL free agency with the most available money of any team in the league, and they have used a fair share of it thus far. However, this team is far from complete, and if they hope to be a playoff contender in 2023, signing Darius Slay would go a long way toward that goal.
Last season, the Bears allowed opponents to average a 94.4 QB rating, and they need to have a defensive back that strikes some fear in opposing quarterbacks. Darius Slay would certainly do that and bring another needed veteran to a fairly young locker room.