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Last week — a former Eagles Pro Bowl cornerback announced his retirement — the end of a career that spanned more than a decade in the NFL. One thing was for certain when Big Play Slay was on the gridiron for the Eagles. A big play was coming.
When Big Play Slay arrived in Philly in 2020 — a reunion with the man who had drafted him in Detroit and his former Coach Jim Schwartz— he wasn’t here for the present. The Eagles were far away from the defensive form that brought Philly its first Lombardi Trophy in 2018.
Oh no. Big play Slay was here for what was to come.
The Eagles were in the throws rebuilding every part of the franchise. Over the next thirteen months — Carson Wentz gave way to Jalen Hurts. Doug Pederson gave way to Nick Sirianni. Jim Schwartz gave way to Jonathan Gannon. And the Eagles — who had just finished a 4–11–1 season which to many felt like a surrender at times — were themselves starting all over.
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (2) intercepts a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, left, during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Then came 2022. Playing across from James Bradberry — Slay blanketed the Vikings Justin Jefferson, frustrated the Cowboys Cee Dee Lamb, and limited Green Bay’s Christian Watson. The six-time Pro Bowler was the perfect compliment to a devastating Eagles pass rush. The result wasn’t just success — it was an NFC Championship.
And the Big Plays kept coming.
Then came a very different role for Slay. In 2024 — in his 11th NFL Season — Big Play Slay had to face a new reality that nearly everyone does in the last chapter of their careers. The NFL is a young man’s game — and the Eagles had spent top draft capital on two future talents in the defensive backfield. Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean would be the future of the Eagles secondary. And when they arrived in Philadelphia in May of 2024 — Slay went from just being a massive defensive presence to being a mentor.
Over the course of the subsequent training camp and beginning of the season — he observed the talent of these two young athletes — and was there when they needed him. He provided coaching for DeJean’s flexibility to play multiple positions. He tried to bring Quinyon Mitchell out of his reserved exterior personality that erupts with outward emotion right after kickoff and remains unwavering until the clock hits zero at the end of the 4th quarter.
Slay’s last game in Philadelphia saw the culmination of all that he had seen grow in Philadelphia over five seasons. It was a rousing 40–22 Super Bowl LIX win for the Eagles. At the Parade the following week down Broad Street in a city that had celebrated everything from the Signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 to Armistice Day in 1945— it was Slay’s turn to step to the microphone.
He didn’t tell Philadelphia about his illustrious career. He didn’t tell the City of brotherly Love how his contributions to the Eagles secondary led to nearly flawless postseason victory after postseason victory. He didn’t promise an endless string of Super Bowl victories in Philly to come.
He told Philadelphia against the backdrop of the Art Museum that the void of a lockdown corner was overfor the Eagles. He told Philadelphia that they had two.
He told us that the time of Mitchell and DeJean had just begun.
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