If the San Francisco 49ers are focused on getting younger this offseason, signing a 34-year-old veteran defensive back might not align with that strategy. However, with Charvarius Ward expected to leave in free agency, the team could weigh whether Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay is a viable option for their secondary.
On Monday, reports surfaced that the Eagles are releasing the six-time Pro Bowler, who spent the past five seasons in Philadelphia after beginning his career with the Detroit Lions. Slay had one year remaining on his contract and recently expressed a desire to finish out his deal with the Eagles.
“I’ve got one more left (on my contract), but you know how that works,” Slay said on the St. Brown Podcast, per USA Today. “Whatever they want to do, I might re-sign back, hopefully. If I ain’t, we’ll see what I’m doing because I do want to play one more year, for sure.”
If the season started today, second-year cornerback Renardo Green would likely start opposite Deommodore Lenoir on the outside. Most expect the 49ers to address the position in the upcoming draft, but adding a veteran like Slay could ease the transition for a rookie or Green, preventing them from taking on an overwhelming workload too soon.
Slay played 81% of the Eagles’ defensive snaps last season, tallying 49 tackles (three for a loss) and 13 passes defensed. He earned a solid 73.3 defensive grade and 75.5 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus in 2024—both higher marks than any 49ers defensive back.
Philadelphia’s decision to move on from Slay was likely influenced by the emergence of young cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, both rookies last season. Additionally, releasing Slay as a post-June 1 designation will free up $4.3 million in cap space for the Eagles.
Over his 12-year NFL career, Slay has recorded 619 tackles (16 for a loss), 28 interceptions, five touchdowns (three from interceptions and two from fumble recoveries), 160 passes defensed, and two forced fumbles.