Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Darius Slay

Discover the career path of Darius Slay, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Darius Slay, nicknamed "Big Play Slay", is an American professional football cornerback currently playing for the Buffalo Bills. He played college football at Itawamba and Mississippi State before being drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft. Slay won Super Bowl LIX with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024. He has also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1996: Harris Drafted

In 1996, Walt Harris was drafted.

2001: Smoot Drafted

In 2001, Fred Smoot was drafted.

2011: Played for Mississippi State Bulldogs

In 2011, Darius Slay played for head coach Dan Mullen's Mississippi State Bulldogs football team.

2012: Continued playing for Mississippi State Bulldogs

In 2012, Darius Slay continued playing for head coach Dan Mullen's Mississippi State Bulldogs football team. During this season with Mississippi State, he had 64 tackles, six interceptions, and two touchdowns.

March 6, 2013: Participated at Mississippi State's pro day

On March 6, 2013, Darius Slay participated at Mississippi State's pro day in front of team representatives and scouts from 30 NFL teams.

May 13, 2013: Signed with Detroit Lions

On May 13, 2013, the Detroit Lions signed Darius Slay to a four-year, $5.28 million contract.

September 29, 2013: Recorded Season-High Tackles

On September 29, 2013, Darius Slay had a season-high seven combined tackles and a pass defense in a 40–32 victory over the Chicago Bears.

2013: Competed for Starting Cornerback Role

In 2013, Darius Slay competed with Chris Houston and Bill Bentley throughout training camp for the starting cornerback role, and was eventually named the starting cornerback to begin his rookie season.

2013: Drafted by Detroit Lions

In 2013, Darius Slay was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round (36th overall) of the NFL draft.

September 28, 2014: First Career Interception

On September 28, 2014, Darius Slay recorded five combined tackles, deflected a pass, and made his first career interception during a 24–17 victory at the New York Jets in Week 4. Slay made his first career interception off a pass by quarterback Geno Smith.

December 14, 2014: Recorded Interception against the Vikings

On December 14, 2014, Darius Slay recorded five combined tackles, deflected two passes, and made an interception during the Lions' 16–14 win against the Vikings in Week 15. Slay intercepted a pass by Vikings' quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

2014: Detroit Lions Season

During the 2014 NFL season, The Detroit Lions finished the season second in the NFC North with an 11–5 record and qualified for a playoff berth.

January 4, 2015: First Playoff Game

On January 4, 2015, Darius Slay started his first career playoff game and made one solo tackle and broke up a pass as the Lions lost the NFC Wildcard Game 24–20 at the Dallas Cowboys.

September 13, 2015: Season-Opener against San Diego Chargers

On September 13, 2015, Darius Slay started in the Detroit Lions' season-opener at the San Diego Chargers and made five combined tackles (three solo), a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Philip Rivers to wide receiver Malcolm Floyd during a 28–33 loss.

December 13, 2015: Recorded Interception against St. Louis Rams

On December 13, 2015, Darius Slay recorded two solo tackles, made a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Case Keenum thrown to wide receiver Kenny Britt during a 14–21 loss at the St. Louis Rams.

July 29, 2016: Signed Contract Extension with Detroit Lions

On July 29, 2016, Darius Slay signed a four-year, $48.15 million contract extension with the Detroit Lions.

October 2, 2016: Recorded First Career Sack

On October 2, 2016, Darius Slay recorded four solo tackles, set a season-high with three pass deflections, and made his first career sack on Brian Hoyer for a seven–yard loss during a 17–14 loss at the Chicago Bears.

October 9, 2016: Intercepted Pass Against Eagles

On October 9, 2016, Darius Slay made three solo tackles, two pass deflections, and sealed a 24–23 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles by intercepting a pass by Carson Wentz to wide receiver Nelson Agholor with 1:28 remaining after forcing a fumble on Ryan Mathews.

September 18, 2017: Recorded Season-High Tackles against Giants

On September 18, 2017, Darius Slay set a season-high with eight combined tackles (six solo) and made two pass deflections during a 24–10 win against the New York Giants.

November 12, 2017: Intercepted Pass Against Browns

On November 12, 2017, Darius Slay made five solo tackles, three pass deflections, and sealed a 38–24 victory against the Cleveland Browns by intercepting a pass by DeShone Kizer to wide receiver Ricardo Louis with only 1:23 remaining in the game.

December 16, 2017: Two Interceptions Against Bears

On December 16, 2017, Darius Slay made five solo tackles, three pass deflections, and tied his season-high with two interceptions on passes thrown by Mitchell Trubisky during a 20–10 win against the Chicago Bears. His performance earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

2017: Detroit Lions Season

In 2017, The Detroit Lions finished the season with a 9–7 record.

October 7, 2018: Season-High Solo Tackles

On October 7, 2018, Darius Slay achieved a season-high with five solo tackles during the Lions' 31–23 victory over the Green Bay Packers.

December 9, 2018: First Career Pick-Six and Touchdown

On December 9, 2018, Darius Slay recorded his first career pick-six by intercepting a pass from Josh Rosen and returning it for a 67-yard touchdown in a 17–3 win against the Arizona Cardinals. This performance earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

2018: Voted to the 2018 Pro Bowl

Darius Slay was voted to the 2018 Pro Bowl, marking his first Pro Bowl selection of his career and was also selected first-team All-Pro.

September 15, 2019: Game-Securing Interception

On September 15, 2019, Darius Slay recorded six solo tackles, two pass deflections, and sealed the Lions' 13–10 win against the Los Angeles Chargers with an interception of a pass by Philip Rivers with just 1:10 remaining.

March 20, 2020: Trade to Philadelphia Eagles and Contract Extension

On March 20, 2020, the Philadelphia Eagles traded for Darius Slay, sending a third-round and a fifth-round pick to the Detroit Lions. Slay agreed to the trade after the Eagles signed him to a three-year, $42 million contract extension with $24.50 million guaranteed.

September 13, 2020: Eagles Debut

On September 13, 2020, Darius Slay made his regular season debut with the Eagles, recording three combined tackles in a 17–27 loss against Washington.

December 27, 2020: First Interception as an Eagle

On December 27, 2020, Darius Slay recorded his first interception as a member of the Eagles, picking off a pass by Andy Dalton in a 37–17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

2020: Contract Through 2020

In 2016, The contract extension placed Darius Slay under contract from 2016–2020.

January 24, 2021: Eagles Hire Nick Sirianni

On January 24, 2021, the Philadelphia Eagles hired Nick Sirianni as their new head coach, following the firing of Doug Pederson after the 2020 season.

September 12, 2021: Season-High Tackles in Season Opener

On September 12, 2021, Darius Slay started in the Eagles' season-opener and recorded a season-high of six combined tackles and one pass deflection during a 32-6 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

November 23, 2021: Pick-Six Against the Saints

On November 23, 2021, Darius Slay had a pick-six on an interception thrown by Trevor Siemian, returning it 51 yards for a touchdown as the Eagles defeated the New Orleans Saints 40–29. It was his third touchdown of the season.

September 19, 2022: Career-High Pass Deflections and Interceptions

On September 19, 2022, Darius Slay recorded one solo tackle, set a career-high with five pass deflections, and had two interceptions on pass attempts by Kirk Cousins during a 24–7 win over the Minnesota Vikings, earning him NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

January 21, 2023: Divisional Round Victory

On January 21, 2023, Darius Slay recorded five combined tackles and broke up a pass during a 38–7 victory against the New York Giants in the Divisional Round, helping the Eagles advance.

February 12, 2023: Super Bowl LVII Appearance

On February 12, 2023, Darius Slay started in Super Bowl LVII and made four solo tackles, but the Eagles lost 38–35 to the Kansas City Chiefs.

February 28, 2023: Eagles Hire Sean Desai

On February 28, 2023, the Philadelphia Eagles hired Sean Desai as their new defensive coordinator, following Jonathan Gannon's departure.

March 15, 2023: Eagles Release Slay

On March 15, 2023, the Philadelphia Eagles released Darius Slay.

March 16, 2023: Re-Signing with the Eagles

On March 16, 2023, the Eagles re-signed Darius Slay to a three-year, $42 million contract extension that included $24.50 million guaranteed upon signing and an initial signing bonus of $10.18 million.

September 10, 2023: Pick-Six in Season Opener

On September 10, 2023, Darius Slay started in the Eagles' season-opener and recorded a pick-six by intercepting a pass by Mac Jones, returning it for a 70-yard touchdown in a 25–20 victory.

October 22, 2023: Interception Against the Dolphins

On October 22, 2023, Darius Slay recorded four solo tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception thrown by Tua Tagovailoa during a 31–17 victory against the Miami Dolphins.

December 16, 2023: Knee Surgery and Season Inactivity

On December 16, 2023, Eagles' head coach Nick Sirianni announced that Darius Slay had undergone arthroscopic knee surgery for a lingering knee injury and would be inactive for the remainder of the season.

January 21, 2024: Eagles Hire Vic Fangio

On January 21, 2024, the Philadelphia Eagles fired defensive coordinator Sean Desai and named Vic Fangio as their new defensive coordinator.

September 29, 2024: Season-High Tackles

On September 29, 2024, Darius Slay set a season-high with nine combined tackles during a 16–33 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

2024: Won Super Bowl LIX

In the 2024 season, Darius Slay won Super Bowl LIX with the Philadelphia Eagles.

January 12, 2025: Slay Intercepts Pass in NFC Wild Card Round

On January 12, 2025, Darius Slay recorded three combined tackles, broke up a pass, and intercepted a pass from Jordan Love intended for Dontayvion Wicks during the Philadelphia Eagles' 22–10 victory over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card Round.

February 9, 2025: Slay Wins Super Bowl LIX with the Eagles

On February 9, 2025, Darius Slay started in Super Bowl LIX, recording two solo tackles as the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22. With this victory, Slay earned his first Super Bowl title and Super Bowl ring.