The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off a devastating 26-7 loss at the hands of the Buffalo Bills in Week 13, and they have made some significant changes to their roster in the wake of that beatdown.
The team released hyped offseason signing Darius Slay after being a healthy scratch against Buffalo, choosing to move forward with Asante Samuel Jr. as cornerback depth. Slay had struggled all season due to injuries and declining athleticism at 34 years old. Pittsburgh also added 35-year-old receiver Adam Thielen off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings to bolster a weak receiving room.
It was a bit surprising to see the Steelers release Slay after paying him $10 million this offseason, as they tend to give veterans every chance possible to turn things around. Still, his play was hard to watch, and I wouldn't have been shocked to see him pass through waivers entirely and struggle to find a new team.
Instead, the Steelers Week 13 opponent is taking a chance on the six-time Pro Bowler.
Bills give Darius Slay a shot at turning 2025 around after Steelers departure
The Bills claimed the former Steeler on waivers Wednesday, adding depth to a defense already giving up the fewest passing yards per game (163.2) in the NFL. He doesn't seem likely to get much playing time unless they were to suffer injuries, as Christian Benford, Tre'Davious White, Taron Johnson, and rookie Maxwell Hairston are all likely to be ahead of him on the depth chart.
While he may not see the field much, he brings plenty of experience and a championship pedigree from his time with the Philadelphia Eagles. Buffalo's only path to a truly successful season is finally making a Super Bowl run, and Slay at least knows what it takes to reach that level of play.
There is also a real chance that Slay plays significantly better in Buffalo's zone-heavy defense compared to Pittsburgh's. His range and quickness have fallen off considerably compared to his prime, but he still has the instincts and ball skills to be a valuable depth corner.
Only time will tell if Slay can rebound from his atrocious 10 games for Pittsburgh, but he is certainly in a better position to play like his old self now that he is in upstate New York. Regardless, I think Steelers fans are happy to see him go.