Darius Slay said this week that his decision not to report to the Buffalo Bills after being claimed off waivers was due to him prioritizing time with family and not wanting to move again.
Appearing on the “Speakeasy” podcast with host Emmanuel AchoThe 34-year-old cornerback explained that if he had been a younger player, he would have been more willing to move to the Bills.
“I just left Pittsburgh. I don’t want to pack up and move again,” Slay said. “I’m like, ‘Brother, I’m 13. I did it.’ Now, if they had called me at 28 (years old), 29 years old, I would have been like, ‘OK!’ It is a leading organization. They have a lot of good things going for them. They’re going to the playoffs, they have a franchise quarterback.
“It wasn’t a bad game. They just caught me at the wrong time. … I talked to them, it was like a little mutual chat, but I said ‘hey, I’m 34, man. I know you’re all watching tapes but I’m trying to relax with my family and my kids.’ I don’t want to pack up and move. Then, on top of that, no offense to Buffalo (but) it’s cold as hell. I’m from the south, baby. We don’t know what snow looks like.
“If they had caught me at 28 or 29, I wouldn’t have had any problems. I would have been ready.”
Slay, who was waived this week by the Pittsburgh Steelers, hasn’t played since Nov. 9 after suffering a concussion, which caused him to miss the Week 11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. He was no longer listed on the injury report before Sunday’s game. loss for billsbut it was a healthy scratch.
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Having previously expressed the likelihood that 2025 will be his final NFL season, it was no surprise to see Slay’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, say ESPN’s Adam Schefter that his client was considering walking away from football and deciding whether he wanted to continue playing.
Slay joined the Steelers this season on a one-year deal in March after four years and a Super Bowl championship with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles were reportedly interested in Slay and when asked if he would have reported to Philadelphia if they had won the claim, Slay responded, “Honestly, I don’t know” and cited the fact that he was able to attend his son’s sporting events this week as the reason he is at peace with his decision.
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“I gave a lot to the game,” Slay said. “I’m cool (with) where I am. … I don’t have much left.”
The Bills retain Slay’s rights if he decides to continue playing.
