The impact of cornerback Darius "Big Play" Slay goes far beyond the football field for the Eagles. He's a team captain for the third straight season. He has been a mentor for the young defensive backs who look up to him and marvel at the career he's had. He was, just this week, a topic of one of Head Coach Nick Sirianni's team meetings as Sirianni lauded Slay's resilience and dedication through the course of his NFL years.
Slay has been, in a word, invaluable, since Executive Vice President/General Manager Howie Roseman acquired him from the Detroit Lions prior to the 2020 season. He is also doing something that few at his position ever do: Playing some of his best football in this, his 12th NFL season.
Prior to a throng of reporters surrounding Slay at his NovaCare Complex locker earlier this week, Slay talked about his on-field performance in 2024. Philadelphia is ranked No. 1 in the NFL in total defense and No. 2 overall in passing defense, allowing just 173.2 passing yards per game. The Eagles have allowed just two passing touchdowns (fewest in the NFL) since Week 6 and they've given up fewer than 200 passing yards in five of the last six games – the Eagles, of course, have won six consecutive games and are now leading the NFC East with an 8-2 record.
Slay is right in the middle of it all – as a mentor. As a leader. And as one of the very best cornerbacks in all of the National Football League.
"I'm playing damn good. Real good. I think I'm playing at a real high, high level right now, man," Slay said. "When I watch myself, yeah, I'm pretty pleased. I can only think of a game and a half – and I call it a game and a half because I gave up a touchdown on the last play of the game – but other than that I think I've been going crazy, really. I'm chillin', though. Lot of football left."
The analytics bear out Slay's self-scouting report. Per Pro Football Focus, Slay is having one of the best seasons of a career that has seen him earn one All-Pro nod and six Pro Bowls, three since joining the Eagles. Here is a snapshot of Slay's performance through 10 games …
- He has allowed just 19 receptions and is on pace for fewest since he became a starter
- Quarterbacks have completed just 54.3 percent of the targets in his direction, lowest since 2018
- Slay has allowed Just two receptions in the past two games, wins over Dallas and Washington
- Slay has allowed a meager 195 passing yards and, once again, is on pace for fewest since he became a starter
Among the league's cornerbacks? Slay ranks right up there with the very best in the NFL among cornerbacks with 200 or more coverage snaps. For example …
- Slay is ranked tied-3rd in the NFL with just 7 first-down receptions allowed
- He is 6th in the NFL with a forced incompletion percentage of 22.9 percent
- Slay has allowed Just 0.68 receiving yards per coverage snap, 10th in the NFL
As the Eagles prepare for the Rams and their high-powered passing game, featuring wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, Slay is doing what he's always done. He is putting in extra time on and off the practice field, a discipline that continues to pay off with the way he's playing on gamedays.
"Just preparing every week up there with my DB (defensive backs) coach CP (Christian Parker) and getting extra work in after practice and before meetings and making sure that I'm prepared and ready to go," Slay said. "Putting in the work."
It has also helped that Slay has been around the infusion of youth in the secondary these last couple of seasons, and he has certainly had a hand in the development of rookie cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean this year. He's helped them and they have helped him.
The mutual benefits are obvious as the Eagles' defense continues to grow.
"Everybody is always a positive for me. It's great to be around a bunch of young guys who help keep it going, keep it fun," Slay said. "It's a competitive job and you always have to be at your best. We know this is a great matchup and I'm up for every matchup, because that's what this league is all about. I know that Puka and Coop, they are two of the best right now. Puka is outstanding and Coop is the same way. I know Staf (Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford) and I know that he's going to get them the ball, so it's always a great challenge going against those guys."
Once again, then, Slay looks to make an impact – every day at the NovaCare Complex and every time the Eagles step on the field for a football game. On Sunday night, a national television audience gets to see a player continuing to grow in his 12th season, remaining one of the best at a challenging position where every mistake is magnified.
"I love it. Every play, something can happen and you have to be ready for the challenge," Slay said. "That makes it so much fun."
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