Darius Slay Won’t Report To New Team After Steelers Release

Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Darius Slay will evaluate his NFL future following his release.

Slay and the Steelers mutually agreed to part ways after the six-time Pro Bowler was a healthy scratch in Week 13. The Buffalo Bills claimed Slay on Wednesday, but the 34-year-old doesn’t intend to report to his new organization.

His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Slay will contemplate his next move rather than joining the Bills.

“Slay is honored that a first-class organization like the Bills claimed him, but he is going to take some time away from football right now and decide in the next few days if he wants to keep playing,” Rosenhaus said.

The Steelers signed Slay to a one-year, $10 million deal last offseason after he ended his five-year Philadelphia Eagles tenure by winning the Super Bowl. The former second-round pick spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Detroit Lions.

Slay struggled in his 13th year, allowing completions on 30 of 40 targets for 337 yards and a 108.0 passer rating as the primary defender. He left Pittsburgh with zero interceptions and a career-high 16.3 missed tackle percentage through 10 games.

The Steelers sat Slay for Sunday’s 26-7 loss after elevating Asante Samuel Jr. from the practice squad. They signed the 26-year-old cornerback to the active roster on Tuesday.

If he doesn’t return to the gridiron, Slay will conclude his decorated career with 28 interceptions, six fumble recoveries and five touchdowns through 187 games. He earned first-team All-Pro honors with eight picks and 26 passes defended in 2017.

The Eagles also made an unsuccessful waiver claim for Slay, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

More NFL: Steelers Rumors: Darius Slay Claimed By Multiple Teams