Darius Slay retires after 13 seasons, including seven with Lions

Richard Silva, The Detroit News on Mar 16, 2026

Published in Football

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Darius Slay has called it a career.

The former Detroit Lions standout announced his retirement via Instagram on Monday, ending his time in the NFL after 13 seasons. Slay, 35, was drafted by the Lions in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft after attending Itawamba (2009-10) and Mississippi State (2011-12). He spent seven seasons in Detroit before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in March 2020.

"Dear football, I wanna thank you for all you’ve done for me," Slay wrote on Instagram. "I’ve been blessed to play the game I loved since I was 5yrs old for an amazing 13yrs at the highest level. Football was my peace, my joy, my everything. This game put me in a position to help take care of my family and loved ones and I’m forever grateful. It’s hard to say goodbye, but God has a new chapter for me and I’m ready to turn the page and start my new journey. To all my BigPlay fans, I will always appreciate the love and support y’all have given to me. I couldn’t have done it without you. Just A kid from Brunswick, GA with BIG dreams."

Included in Slay's Instagram post was a video showing the jerseys he donned throughout his career.

Slay recorded 19 interceptions during his tenure with the Lions (tied for 17th in franchise history), including an NFL-best eight in 2017, the same year he earned All-Pro honors as a member of the first team. The Lions, who at the time were led by former head coach Matt Patricia and former general manager Bob Quinn, traded Slay to the Eagles for third- and fifth-round picks in the 2020 draft.

In the months leading up to the trade, Slay questioned Detroit's decision to send safety Quandre Diggs to the Seattle Seahawks. He was also pushing for a new contract, something he and the Lions could never agree on. Immediately after acquiring him, the Eagles extended Slay on a three-year deal worth $50 million.

A six-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl LIX champion with the Eagles, Slay remained in Philadelphia until March 2025. After his release, Slay signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers and started nine contests before he was waived in December. The Buffalo Bills claimed Slay, but he reportedly told the team he was contemplating retirement and would not report to Buffalo.

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