Steelers' Darius Slay Has Great Respect For Mike Tomlin: "He Wins And I'm A Winner"

Newly acquired Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back, Darius Slay has built a career filled with accomplishments. In 2017, while playing for the Detroit Lions, Slay was selected for his first Pro Bowl and named First Team All-Pro. Since 2017, Slay has been named a Pro Bowler five more times, with his most recent selection during the 2023 NFL season. In 2024, Slay played a pivotal role in helping the Philadelphia Eagles' defense dominate their way to Super Bowl LIX victory against the Kansas City Chiefs. 

During the 2024 campaign, the Eagles' defense allowed a league low of 9.7 yards per reception and the second least total yards, 3,266. Meanwhile, the Steelers allowed the seventh most total receiving yards, and they're hoping Slay's veteran presence can help their secondary. When entering free agency as a veteran player, there may be several things to consider when deciding their next destination. Players may consider several things, such as team needs, coaching staff, potential for success, and personal relationships. Many players over the years have chosen free agent destinations based on those things. The same applies to the organizations when evaluating the free agent market; they want to bring in players who will mesh well with the current coaching staff and players to help further team success. 

For Slay, the relationships existing within the Steelers organization played a part in his decision to choose Pittsburgh. The success of the Steelers organization and current coaching staff also aided in Slay's decision. In a recent interview with Steelers sideline reporter Missi Matthews, Slay explains why he chose Pittsburgh.

"I always talk about Mike T. a lot, well Coach Tomlin a lot, uh he's one of the coaches I always, you know, look forward to playing with if I got the chance to," said Slay. "I've been seeing him doing great things for this organization and, um, you know, yeah, I mean, he wins, and I'm a winner and I like being a winner, so why not?"

Since taking over as head coach in 2007, Mike Tomlin has not recorded a losing season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tomlin also currently sits as the 12th most-winning coach of all-time and second of any active coach. So, it would make sense why Slay would want to play for a Super Bowl-winning coach like Tomlin coming off of his own Super Bowl victory. 

Slay appears to have a lot of respect for Tomlin, and it seems to be reciprocal. 

"He always just, you know, chop it up, man. He always mentioned to me off for sure they had a lot of respect for me," said Slay. 

Tomlin and Slay may not have had a personal relationship before now, but the respect has always been mutual. 

Slay's Relationship With Steelers Personnel 

Teryl Austin, the Steelers' current defensive coordinator, also coached Slay in Detroit from 2014 to 2017. Slay recorded the best season of his career with Austin as his DC. In 2017, Slay led the league in interceptions with eight and passes defended with 26, which led to his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors. Slay credits much of his success as a lockdown corner to the coaching of Austin, who made him take the practice squad reps as well as the first team reps against Hall of Fame wide receiver, Calvin Johnson. 

"At that time, we considered him one of the corner gurus," Slay explained. "When he got there, he made sure that, even on practice squad, practice reps when the offensive guys go in, he made me get some practice squad reps with Calvin." 

So, Slay's decision to join the Steelers had a lot to do with the people in the building. Maybe the combination of Tomlin and Austin can help reverse the clock for Slay, who is heading into his 13th NFL season. 

Can Slay turn back the clock and have another All-Pro year in his reunion with Austin? Click to comment below!

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