Darius Slay, Steelers Agree to Part Ways — Cornerback Now a Free Agent
The Pittsburgh Steelers and veteran cornerback Darius Slay have mutually agreed to part ways, Slay’s agents Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey told ESPN.
After joining the Steelers earlier this year, Slay is now free to explore opportunities elsewhere — a clear indication that his time in Pittsburgh has come to an end.
Slay signed a one-year, fully guaranteed $10 million deal with Pittsburgh in March 2025.The move had been seen as a veteran-led boost to the Steelers’ secondary, pairing him with promising young talent such as Joey Porter Jr. and providing experience alongside safety standouts.
However — much like past short-stints by veterans in Pittsburgh — the experiment did not pan out as planned. According to reports, Slay had a difficult 2025 campaign on the field, culminating in him being ruled a healthy scratch in Week 13 against the Buffalo Bills.
The downward trajectory in performance likely played a role in both sides agreeing that a separation was the best way forward.
Slay’s departure not only leaves a void in the Steelers’ cornerback group — but also triggers a new phase in his career. The 34-year-old has publicly expressed a desire to continue playing, and now will “consider signing with other teams,” according to his agents.
Given his pedigree — a six-time Pro Bowler with 28 career interceptions over more than a decade in the league across stops with the Detroit Lions and the Philadelphia Eagles — Slay remains a viable candidate for teams looking to bolster their secondary with experience and leadership.
For Pittsburgh, the move underscores a broader transition. The front office’s willingness to part ways with a veteran like Slay — a high-profile, well-paid signee from earlier in the year — signals a renewed commitment to youth and reshaping the defensive backfield. The Steelers now have the opportunity to lean more heavily on younger corners such as Porter Jr. in combination with newer additions or internal options.
As for Slay, this could mark just another stop in a long, storied career. He faces the uncertain yet hopeful path all veterans do at this stage: landing on a roster where he can still contribute, perhaps as a mentor, a slot corner, or a rotational piece.
In the coming days and weeks, all eyes will be on the free-agent board to see where — if anywhere — the former Pro Bowler lands next.