Pittsburgh Review

The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed cornerback Darius Slay to a one-year contract. Slay, originally drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft as the 36th overall pick, spent seven seasons with the Lions before joining the Philadelphia Eagles through a trade in 2020.

During his career, Slay has achieved several accolades including being named a First-Team Associated Press All-Pro selection in 2017 and earning six Pro Bowl selections (2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024). He was also a starter for the Eagles' Super Bowl LIX championship team.

"It's a great opportunity here," said Slay. "I talk about Mike T(omlin) a lot. He is a coach I wanted to play for if I got a chance to. And he wins."

Slay's professional record includes appearances in 177 games with 167 starts. He has amassed 614 career tackles—512 solo—and made 16 tackles for loss. Additionally, he has recorded 28 career interceptions with three returned for touchdowns, including one of 70 yards. His statistics also include five fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and one sack.

Notably leading all NFL players since entering the league in passes defensed with a total of 161, Slay has also registered four multiple interception games throughout his career.

"I think physicality when I hear Steelers defense," stated Slay regarding his new team. "I am going to fit in wherever needed. Whatever the coaches need me to do...I am here to do it to the best of my ability."

In the Eagles' Super Bowl run last season, Slay started in fourteen games and concluded with impressive stats: forty-nine tackles—thirty-nine solo—and three tackles for loss while leading his team with thirteen passes defensed contributing significantly to their No.1 pass defense ranking.

His most outstanding season came during his time at Detroit in 2017 when he set personal records with twenty-six passes defensed and eight interceptions on his way to receiving All-Pro honors alongside sixty tackles.

Before turning professional, Slay attended Itawamba Community College before transferring to Mississippi State where he earned All-SEC honors as a senior thanks largely due contributions like forty total tackles (twenty-six solo) along five interceptions; returning one for touchdown during collegiate competition.

Darius Slay Career Highs:

- Tackles: Eleven against Washington Commanders on October first two-thousand-twenty-three

- Sacks: One versus Chicago Bears dated October second two-thousand-sixteen

- Interceptions: Two achieved four times latest instance September nineteenth two-thousand-twenty-two opposing Minnesota Vikings

- Passes Defensed: Five again occurring same day facing Vikings matchup previously mentioned

- Forced Fumbles: Once happening twice recent case Green Bay Packers encounter September sixth two-thousand-twenty-four

- Fumble Recoveries occurred quartet times latest involving former team matchup Detroit Lions Halloween eve event twenty-one