Eagles' Darius Slay Slams Matt Patricia, Talks 'Disrespect' from Former Lions HC

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Ahead of Super Bowl LVII on Sunday, Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay took the time to reflect on the early part of his career when he was with the Detroit Lions, and it brought up some lingering feelings of disdain for former head coach Matt Patricia.

While speaking during Super Bowl Opening Night, Slay revealed that he felt disrespected by Patricia, who took an issue with him working out with fellow cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Aqib Talib.

"He basically just said, 'You are not in that category yet,'" Slay said, per USA Today's Scooby Axson. "At that time, I only had one Pro Bowl but now I'm at five, so I want to know how he feels about that now. I don't wish bad on him, but as a man, me and him just don't get along. He's a smart coach, he knows his X's and O's, but the disrespect is not what I'm with."

Slay was drafted by the Lions in 2013 before being traded to the Eagles following the 2019 season. Patricia was hired as Detroit's head coach in 2018 and lasted less than three years with the franchise, posting a 13-29-1 record during his tenure.

The 32-year-old added that Patricia rubbed him the wrong way immediately upon his hiring.

"I mean, it was weird how he came in like he was just bigger and better than all of us," Slay said. "He acted like we asked to be here. You know, we do get selected. That was crazy. That was a first."

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Slay is one of the best cornerbacks in the league and has been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of the last two seasons. He's the anchor of a Philadelphia defense that ranked first in the NFL by holding opponents to 179.8 passing yards per game during the 2022 campaign.

Slay and the rest of the Eagles will be tested in Super Bowl LVII by the Chiefs' high-powered passing attack that's led by star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.