Heading into the offseason, one potential position of need for the Detroit Lions could be the cornerback spot. The Lions could lose multiple cornerbacks in free agency, including veteran Carlton Davis III, who had a great 2024 season in the Motor City and could get a huge pay raise in the next few weeks.
If the Lions lose Davis to another team in free agency, they must have a backup plan to play opposite Terrion Arnold. Luckily for Detroit, the perfect option is now available and he used to play for the team.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Philadelphia Eagles are releasing veteran cornerback Darius Slay. The 34-year-old cornerback is coming off an outstanding 2024, helping the Eagles become one of the best defenses and win their second Super Bowl in franchise history.
Eagles are releasing six-time Pro-Bowl CB Darius Slay, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 3, 2025
If he is designated a post-June 1 release, the Eagles will save $4.3 million against the cap. pic.twitter.com/tUq4ScIK79
With Slay hitting the open market, Lions fans would love to see the veteran defender return to the Motor City. Slay began his career in Detroit as the Lions took him in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Slay spoke about returning to Detroit on the St. Brown Podcast last month, saying he still loves the city and it’s his second home. The veteran cornerback also reiterated in the podcast that he still wants to play one more year.
Darius Slay recently told @StBrownPodcast he wants to play one more season—and if it’s not with the #Eagles, he’d like to return to the #Lions.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 3, 2025
pic.twitter.com/AKeYXN7rDp https://t.co/f4Vh8RWhVa
Slay spent seven years in Detroit where he made a name for himself as one of the better CBs in the NFL. During his time with the Lions, the veteran defensive back made three Pro Bowls and first-team All-Pro in 2017, where he had a career-high eight interceptions.
With Davis being considered one of the top free-agent cornerback options, bringing back Slay to the Motor City wouldn’t be a bad idea for one year. Arnold should continue to get better entering Year 2, along with Ennis Rakestraw, who appeared in eight games as a rookie.