Darius Slay 'Preparing' to Leave Eagles in 2025 Offseason; Eyes 1 More NFL Season

Veteran cornerback Darius Slay said Friday that while he wants to play one more NFL season, he does not expect it to be as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.

According to Ashlyn Sullivan of NBC Sports Philadelphia, Slay said he is "preparing" for Sunday's NFC Championship Game to be his final home game in an Eagles uniform.

Slay added that he is "85 percent" leaning toward playing one more season, but "understands it most likely won't be with the Eagles."

The 34-year-old Slay also noted that he wants to make his 13th NFL season his last in 2025, and that he "looks forward to watching Eagles games from a box" in the near future.

Slay has played the past five seasons in Philadelphia since a 2020 trade from the Detroit Lions, and he has enjoyed enormous success, securing three of his six career Pro Bowl selections as a member of the Eagles.

While it was initially reported during the 2023 offseason that Slay was going to be released, he instead signed a two-year, $42 million contract extension with the Eagles, locking him in through the 2025 season.

Per Spotrac, Slay is set to account for $13.78 million against the salary cap next season, which could prompt the Eagles to release or trade him.

While a pre-June 1 cut or trade would result in $22.75 million in dead cap and an $8.97 million hit against the cap, designating him as a post-June 1 cut or trade would give the Eagles $4.324 million in cap savings in 2025.

After being named to three straight Pro Bowls from 2021 to 2023, Slay took a bit of a step back this season, as he failed to record an interception for the first time since his rookie season in 2013.

Still, he recorded 49 tackles, 13 passes defended and one forced fumble, and started all 14 regular-season games he appeared in.

Rookie first-round pick Quinyon Mitchell has established himself as the Eagles' clear No. 1 corner this season, while rookie second-round pick Cooper DeJean has locked down the nickel corner spot.

Cutting or trading Slay would leave the Eagles with a hole at the No. 2 corner spot, but they could potentially fill it with a much cheaper option in free agency.

Although Slay's time in Philly may be nearing its conclusion, he still has a couple of huge goals to potentially accomplish.

With a win over the NFC East rival Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, Slay will advance to his second Super Bowl since joining the Eagles.

He would then have a chance to win the first Super Bowl title of his career against either the Kansas City Chiefs or Buffalo Bills.