Darius Slay Retires from NFL on Video, Won Super Bowl 59 With Eagles in 13-Year Career

Cornerback Darius Slay is calling it a career.

The longtime NFL cornerback announced his retirement on Monday in both video and message form.

"Dear football, I wanna thank you for all you've done for me," Slay wrote. "I've been blessed to play the game I loved since I was five years old for an amazing 13 years at the highest level. Football was my peace, my joy, everything. This game put me in a position to help take care of my family and loved ones and I'm forever grateful. It's hard to say goodbye, but god has a new chapter for me and I'm ready to turn the page and start my new journey. To all my BigPlay fans, I will always appreciate the love and support y'all have given to me. I couldn't have done it without you. Just a kid from Brunswick, Georgia with big dreams."

Slay signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Steelers ahead of the 2025 season. He ultimately made 10 appearances and nine starts for the Steelers, recording 36 tackles, three passes defensed and one fumble recovery through Week 10.

Slay missed Week 11 with a concussion, then was a healthy scratch for a Week 13 matchup with the Bills. Former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said at the time the decision was made so that the team could get a look at other cornerbacks.

The Steelers then waived Slay while moving Asante Samuel Jr. to the active roster ahead of Week 14.

The Buffalo Bills claimed Slay off waivers shortly afterward. The Philadelphia Eagles, for whom Slay played his previous five seasons, also put in a waiver claim before losing out to the Bills, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Slay's agent Drew Rosenhaus responded to the Bills' waiver claim by saying in a Dec. 4 statement that Slay was "going to take some time away from football right now and decide in the next few days if he wants to keep playing."

Slay ultimately didn't play a game for the Bills. He mentioned the weather in Buffalo, his desire not to move and wanting to spend time with his family when explaining that decision to Emmanuel Acho on a December episode of the Speakeasy podcast.

The cornerback, who turned 35 in January, had six Pro Bowl campaigns during his career and won a Super Bowl ring with the Eagles during the 2024 season.