Darius Slay Turned Down A Wonderful Offer From The Ravens

For a brief moment, Darius Slay almost left the Philadelphia Eagles. After all, it was reported that he was given permission to seek a trade to a different team in the offseason. When they couldn’t move him, it was reported that he could be released. That next day, he was suddenly linked back up with the Eagles on a large deal. While some people might not have doubted that Slay could leave the organization, it definitely wasn’t a surefire bet.  

Slay was recently talking about the subject of his potential departure from the Eagles and where he might have been looking if things didn’t work out well. He said, “I was almost, this close, a Baltimore Raven. I was this close. This close. But I wanted to be an Eagle, I stayed an Eagle because I know me, and Howie were going to figure something out. But the Baltimore Ravens were the first team that called, and they offered just what I wanted, and I just said, if the Eagles do that, I’m going to stay an Eagle.”

This is actually pretty shocking news to hear. Especially considering how it all played out in the end. Slay essentially confirmed that he would sign with the Ravens if the Eagles chose not to offer that exact same deal. You could think of it as the Eagles giving Slay a tender that they were able to match. 

Darius Slay Leading A New-Look Defense

Slay was one of the very few key pieces of this past seasons Philadelphia defense that actually chose to return. Throughout free agency, Philly saw Javon Hargrave, C.J. Gardner Johnson, Marcus Epps, Kyzir White, and TJ Edwards all leave that defense. Even James Bradberry was expected to be released or traded before signing back with the Eagles. Simply put, there’s going to be a massive shakeup in this defense moving forward but Slay is prepared to help them adjust. 

Slay appeared in every single game for the Eagles a season ago. He racked up three interceptions and 67 tackles. He was a genuine lockdown corner in this secondary that could wipe away an entire half of the field. If he had joined the Ravens secondary, he could have negated the potential loss of Marcus Peters. A guy that is currently a free agent at the moment.  

The Eagles will need to build back up through the draft. With the hopes that Slay and Bradberry can keep on locking down each side of the football field in the passing game. They also signed Greedy Williams to try and negate the losses they suffered. We are just going to have to wait and see what goes on with this defense moving forward. Now, all we can do is sit back and wonder how crazy this offseason could have gotten if Slay went to work with the Ravens. Especially with all of the Lamar Jackson drama going on. The Ravens could have been one step closer to making a Super Bowl caliber roster.