It seems to be as if Professional Bowl cornerback Darius Slay is staying put in any case.
Stories surfaced Wednesday morning that the Eagles have been going to launch Slay with a post-June 1 designation, thus saving almost $18 million on the wage cap. However late Wednesday evening, it was reported that the 2 sides have been closing in on a deal.
Slay confirmed it with a tweet.
“Again like I by no means left!!! Run it again”
That capped off an fascinating begin to the brand new league 12 months on Wednesday that reportedly included re-signing veteran defensive sort out Fletcher Cox to a one-year deal price $10 million, whereas dropping operating again Miles Sanders to the Carolina Panthers to a four-year deal price as a lot as $25 million.
Slay can be reunited at cornerback with James Bradberry, who signed a three-year deal reportedly price as a lot as $38 million. The Eagles made Bradberry’s signing official Wednesday. Additionally they signed free agent operating again Rashaan Penny and re-signed operating again Boston Scott.
Slay, who had yet another 12 months left on his contract, tweeted the information Wednesday morning that he wasn’t returning.
“Nothing however love Philly!! Lets see the place we heading subsequent..”
The Eagles had given Slay permission to hunt a commerce final week, and Slay admitted on his podcast that he not solely did not ask for a commerce, however he needed to signal an extension with the Eagles.
It is doubtless that Slay, who had been chosen to the Professional Bowl in every of the final two seasons and 5 occasions total, is returning on a lower-cost contract. He was getting into the ultimate 12 months of his three-year, $50 million deal, however he would have counted $26 million on the wage cap.
The Eagles may have given Slay an extension, thus reducing his cap hit in 2023 whereas including at the very least yet another assured 12 months. That was a dangerous proposition as a result of Slay is 32 years outdated. Maybe that is what ended up occurring anyway.
Slay’s so-called return may imply that the Eagles is likely to be hard-pressed to maintain security Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, who’s additionally a free agent. Gardner-Johnson tied for the NFL lead with 6 interceptions regardless of lacking 5 video games.
Cox, in the meantime, was the Eagles’ first-round draft choose in 2012. He has been chosen to the Professional Bowl six occasions in consecutive seasons from 2015-20. However Cox, 32, had 7 sacks final season, his most since 2018 when he had 10.5.
Cox is seventh in staff historical past in video games performed with 173, simply behind different returnees in video games performed Brandon Graham (178) and Jason Kelce (176). Cox is fifth all-time with 65 sacks, simply 5 behind Graham, who’s fourth.
Cox will return to a defensive sort out rotation that will not have Javon Hargrave, who’s signing with the 49ers for 4 years price as a lot as $84 million; and veterans Ndamukong Suh and Linval Joseph. At defensive sort out, the Eagles return 2022 first-round choose Jordan Davis, 2021 third-round choose Milton Williams, together with Marlon Tuipulotu, who missed most of final season with a knee harm.
Cox will present veteran depth.
So will Slay, who’s thought of one of many high cornerbacks within the NFL even at 32 years outdated. He had three interceptions final season, his tenth within the NFL. The Eagles traded for him within the spring of 2020, sending the Detroit Lions a third- and fifth-round draft choose. Slay was the Lions’ second-round choose in 2013.
And now it seems as if Slay will likely be sticking round.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Comply with on Twitter @Mfranknfl.
This text initially appeared on Delaware Information Journal: Reversal: Darius Slay staying with Eagles, and so is Fletcher Cox
