Pro Bowl Cornerback Darius Slay Retires from NFL

The six-time Pro Bowler announced his retirement after 13 seasons in the league.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 8:50pm

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Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday after 13 seasons in the league. Slay, 35, spent the majority of his career with the Detroit Lions before stints with the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers. He was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2017.

Why it matters

Slay was one of the most dominant cornerbacks of his era, making six Pro Bowls and being named first-team All-Pro in 2017. His retirement marks the end of an accomplished career and the loss of a talented player from the NFL.

The details

Over his 13-year NFL career, Slay recorded 28 interceptions, 163 passes defensed, and 5 defensive touchdowns. He spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Detroit Lions before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020. Slay won a Super Bowl with the Eagles during the 2024-25 season before signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2025 campaign.

  • Slay announced his retirement on March 16, 2026.
  • He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 2013 NFL Draft.
  • Slay spent the 2025 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The players

Darius Slay

A 35-year-old Pro Bowl cornerback who spent 13 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, and Pittsburgh Steelers.

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What they’re saying

“Dear football, I wanna thank you for all you've done for me. I've been blessed to play the game I loved since I was 5-years-old for an amazing 13 years at the highest level. Football was my peace, my joy, my everything. This game put me in a position to help take care of my family and loved ones and I'm forever grateful.”

— Darius Slay

The takeaway

Darius Slay's retirement marks the end of an accomplished career for one of the NFL's top cornerbacks of the 2010s. His six Pro Bowl selections and first-team All-Pro nod in 2017 cement his legacy as an elite defensive back who made a significant impact on the game.