Former Lions All-Pro DB Darius Slay Announces NFL Retirement

The three-time Pro Bowler and 2017 first-team All-Pro played 13 seasons in the NFL.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 7:35pm

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Darius Slay, a former cornerback for the Detroit Lions, has announced his retirement from the NFL after 13 seasons. Slay was a three-time Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro in 2017. He finishes his career with impressive stats, including 655 tackles, 163 passes defended, 28 interceptions, and a Super Bowl championship with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Why it matters

Slay was a standout player for the Lions, making the Pro Bowl three times and earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2017. His retirement marks the end of an era for the Lions' secondary and the departure of one of the franchise's most decorated defensive backs in recent memory.

The details

Slay announced his retirement on Instagram, saying that football was his "peace, joy, and everything." He was originally drafted by the Lions in the second round in 2013 and played 8 seasons with the team before being traded to the Eagles in 2020. Slay won a Super Bowl with the Eagles in 2024 before retiring after the 2025 season.

  • Slay announced his NFL retirement on Monday, March 16, 2026.
  • Slay was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
  • Slay played 8 seasons with the Lions before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020.
  • Slay won a Super Bowl championship with the Eagles in the 2024 NFL season.
  • Slay played a total of 13 seasons in the NFL before announcing his retirement.

The players

Darius Slay

A former cornerback who played 13 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Detroit Lions. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro in 2017.

Detroit Lions

The NFL franchise that drafted Slay in the second round in 2013 and he played for during the first 8 seasons of his career.

Philadelphia Eagles

The NFL team that acquired Slay via trade from the Lions in 2020 and with whom he won a Super Bowl championship in 2024.

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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 5yrs old for an amazing 13yrs at the highest level. Football was my peace, my joy, my everything.”

— Darius Slay (Instagram)

The takeaway

Darius Slay's retirement marks the end of an era for the Detroit Lions' secondary and the departure of one of the franchise's most accomplished defensive backs in recent history. His impressive career, which included three Pro Bowl selections, a first-team All-Pro nod, and a Super Bowl championship, solidifies his legacy as one of the top cornerbacks of his generation.