Philadelphia Eagles Nearly Pulled Off A Blockbuster Move That Could Have Saved Their Season
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The Philadelphia Eagles were reportedly close to bringing back old friend Darius Slay, following his release from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
On Tuesday, news broke that the Steelers waived Darius Slay after a humiliating 26-7 home loss to the Buffalo Bills. Fittingly, it was the Bills who claimed the six-time Pro Bowler off waivers on Wednesday.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Eagles put a waiver claim in for Slay, who played for the NFC East club from 2020 to 2024. But the Bills had the waiver priority and landed the 34-year-old instead.
A near reunion: The #Eagles also put in a claim for CB Darius Slay, source said, hoping for their former starting CB to return to Philly. But Buffalo had priority and got him. https://t.co/Tk5H3dKJ9a
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 4, 2025
Slay was having a tough year in Pittsburgh before getting place on waivers. According to Pro Football Reference, he allowed a 75.0 completion percentage and a passer rating of 108.0 when targeted.
But Darius Slay was an ultra-valuable member of the Eagles’ Super Bowl 59 championship team. And with the locker room in a bad state because of the fractured Jalen Hurts-AJ Brown relationship, it’s safe to say Philadelphia would have greatly benefited from the return of the well-respected veteran leader.
The Bills host Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals at Highmark Stadium on Sunday. The Eagles visit the Los Angeles Chargers on ‘Monday Night Football’ at SoFi Stadium.
Darius Slay Gets To Pursue A Second Ring With Dangerous Buffalo Bills Team
Though Slay had plenty of familiarity in Philadelphia, one can argue that he’s better off in Buffalo. This year’s Eagles look nothing like title contenders, and they might not even make the playoffs if the red-hot Dallas Cowboys continue their second-half surge.
In Buffalo, Slay joins a perennial AFC contender led by reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen. The Bills aren’t playing up to their usual standards so far, but the AFC is wide open with no clear-cut favorite here.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott has a rich history in maximizing the potential of his cornerbacks. Slay may be 34 now, but his big-game experience will make the veteran a quality addition in Buffalo.
