Veteran cornerback Darius Slay is suddenly at a crossroads in his NFL career.
Waived by the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this week and claimed by the Buffalo Bills, the six time Pro Bowler is now reportedly unsure if he even wants to keep playing.
His agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN that Slay is “honored” to be claimed by a first class organization like Buffalo but will take a few days away from football before deciding whether to report or retire.
Breaking: Veteran CB Darius Slay, whom the Buffalo Bills claimed on waivers Thursday, is unsure if he wants to continue playing and will not be reporting to Buffalo.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 4, 2025
“Slay is honored that a first-class organization like the Bills claimed him, but he is going to take some time… pic.twitter.com/HXUDxKM9Fo
At age 34, and after losing his starting job in Pittsburgh to James Pierre following a concussion in November, this could mark the end of a decorated career.
Slay Refusing to Report to Bills
Slay’s brief Steelers stint never fully settled. He started nine games, posting 36 tackles, three passes defended and a fumble recovery, but was a healthy scratch in last week’s loss to the Bills as the team leaned into younger options and then moved on to make room for Asante Samuel Jr.
Before that, the Philadelphia Eagles released Slay with a post June 1 designation, ending a dominant run in which he helped anchor the league’s top pass defense in 2024 and earned three straight seasons of 13 or more pass breakups. It's no surprise there was reported mutual interest in a reunion between Slay and Philadelphia once he hit waivers.
Six-time Pro Bowl CB Darius Slay informed the Bills he is contemplating retirement and will not report after being claimed off waivers, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 4, 2025
Slay, 34, was cut by the Steelers on Tuesday. Buffalo retains his rights for now in case Slay changes his mind. pic.twitter.com/0oEZcZaINx
Buffalo’s claim blocked that possibility for now and looked like a savvy depth move for a team battling through a schedule that still includes the Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns.
Instead, the Bills may never see Slay in uniform if he chooses retirement or angles for a trade, with the Eagles looming as a logical suitor willing to send a late round pick for his rights.
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