Veteran cornerback Darius Slay has opted not to join the Buffalo Bills after they claimed him off waivers, leading the team to place him on the reserve/did not report list. Slay cited family priorities and his age as key reasons for staying home instead of moving to Buffalo. In a related move, the Bills claimed safety Darnell Savage off waivers from the Washington Commanders.
Darius Slay, a 34-year-old veteran cornerback with 13 NFL seasons, explained his decision to decline joining the Buffalo Bills during an appearance on the 'Speakeasy' podcast Thursday night. After the Bills claimed him off waivers following his release from the Pittsburgh Steelers, Slay informed the team he was considering retirement rather than relocating. 'When I got home the other day, I was like "shoot, boy, this feels too good to be at the crib,"' Slay said, emphasizing his enjoyment of time with his wife and teenage sons over continuing his career.
Slay, who appeared in 10 games with nine starts for the Steelers this season but struggled in coverage, described the release as mutual. He noted the Bills' organization as a top one with playoff potential and a franchise quarterback, but his priorities had shifted. 'I just got out of Pittsburgh. I don't feel like packing up and moving again,' Slay said. 'I'm like "bro, I'm 13 years in. I done did it." Now if they'd have called me at 28 (years old), 29, I'd (be) like "OK!" ... They just caught me at a bad time.' He also mentioned the cold weather in Buffalo as a factor, saying, 'No offense to Buffalo (but) it's cold as hell. I'm from the south, baby. We don't know what snow looks like.'
The Bills retain Slay's rights for the season and placed him on the reserve/did not report list on Friday. Coach Sean McDermott addressed the situation briefly: 'I'm really going to focus on our team right now ... and I wish (Slay) the best, him and his family.' In a corresponding roster move, Buffalo claimed seven-year veteran safety Darnell Savage off waivers. Savage, who spent his first five seasons with the Green Bay Packers, joined the Washington Commanders in September and played eight games for them this season, recording 15 tackles, one forced fumble, and one pass defensed. He also appeared in two games with the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this year.
Slay had expressed interest in playing one final season with the Philadelphia Eagles or Detroit Lions before signing with Pittsburgh. 'I done gave the game a lot,' he reflected. 'I'm cool (with) where I'm at. ... I ain't got too much left.' The Bills now shift focus to their upcoming game against the Cincinnati Bengals.