While franchises are busy acquiring the best players in the league, star player Darius Slay has shocked everyone with the news of his retirement.

And NFL fans are not happy with it.

On Monday, NFL insider Ari Meirov made an X post sharing the development. In the brief report, he mentioned the teams Slay played for and gave way to many reactions. 

“Veteran CB Darius Slay is retiring from the NFL after 13 seasons and a Super Bowl ring. Spent 7 years with Detroit, 5 with Philadelphia and his final year with the Steelers (and sort of on the Bills),” the post read.

The 35-year-old cornerback was the 36th overall pick in the 2013 draft. He began his career with the Detroit Lions and stayed with them for seven seasons. He made 347 total tackles in those six years, with the 2014 season being his career best. 

In an Instagram post, Slay shared that he is grateful to have played as long as he did. He wrote, “Dear Football, I wanna thank you for everything you've done for me. This game put me in a position to take care of my family and loved ones.” 

The Lions traded him in 2020 after Matt Patricia was hired. 

But Slay’s career reached new heights when he was moved to the Philadelphia Eagles. After all, he won his first and only Super Bowl with them. With that season, “Big Play Slay” became a six-time Pro Bowl cornerback.

Slay made 49 tackles, out of which 39 were solo. Between 2020 and 2024, he made 272 tackles and nine interceptions.

Were the Eagles Behind This Retirement?

Although Slay did not mention any particular reason, one could assume his age is a big factor in his retirement.

But one X user speculated that Slay, who previously dissed the Buffalo Bills, a team that held rights over him, wanted to play for the Eagles but couldn’t. 

“It’s because he wants to play for the Eagles, but the Bills still own his rights,” the fan commented.

And Slay had said as much himself. In December, 2025, the veteran clearly stated that he wanted to commit only to the Eagles. 

Some fans showered Slay with some praise and called him one of the best players in the league. 

“One of the smoothest corners to do it. Respect,” one X user commented while another wrote, “Another legend added to the Wall of Fame.”

And in an end-of-season press conference, the Bills’ general manager, Brandon Beane, and owner Terry Pegula said that they wouldn’t have let go of Ja'Marcus Ingram for him if they knew about his desire to stay with the Eagles.

Well, he won’t be playing for either of those teams now. His retirement certainly has surprised many. But what was your reaction? Tell us in the comments!

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Kalp Thaker