Ex-Steelers CB Darius Slay Gives Great Insight Into His Release From Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot of questions to answer after a 26-7 loss against the Buffalo Bills in Week 13. It was a defeat that saw the team drop to 6-6 and tied for first place in the AFC North after starting 4-1. Against the Bills, the Steelers had plenty of opportunities to take control of the contest, especially seeing as they had a 7-3 lead at the half, but ultimately collapsed yet again in front of the home crowd. This loss has led to a great deal of soul searching in Pittsburgh, as the organization looks ahead to a pivotal matchup against the Baltimore Ravens this coming Sunday.

One of these decisions the team made moving forward was to release former cornerback Darius Slay after the game against the Bills. The Steelers had signed Slay to a one-year deal this past offseason, so to release him before the season concluded had a lot of fans and some in the media scratching their heads. Even after he was released, people had wondered what the circumstances behind his release really were. Performance was the leading theory, however, Slay recently appeared on an episode of Speakeasy and discussed why he was waived from the Steelers, and the truth behind why he was released is revealing.

"It was a mutual decision, man," Slay stated. "Me and [Mike Tomlin] chopped it up. We just thought that was what's best for us. Much respect to Mike T and that organization. It just ain't pan out as it needed to be. It was all good though, no bad blood with it. He's a great dude, a great coach. Shoot, it was nothing. He did me right, and 13 years in, we had a great understanding, been in the NFL for a long time."

Slay's comments had confirmed what others in the media had said, that being Slay and the Steelers requesting a release from the team. The writing was essentially on the wall when the Steelers signed cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to the active roster, and elevated him to play against the Bills. Slay had only missed one game out of the entire season up to this point, that game being in Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals. His availability wasn't the primary reason that he was eventually demoted to third string cornerback, his lack of playmaking ability leading up to the Bills game certainly was. Slay's performance was decent for multiple weeks, recovering a fumble in Week 3, and recording a defended pass in Week 6, but from there, he was essentially a ghost on the field.

Now, Slay's future in the NFL is uncertain. There are multiple teams in the NFL that need help at the cornerback position, including the Bills, but might not officially sign Slay as he continues to ponder his future. Slay's mutual decision to part with the Steelers might be an indication that he was ready to retire, but that has yet to be seen as Slay still sits as a free agent.

With Slay off the Steelers, the team itself has to find a way to move forward without him. Signing Samuel Jr. was the start of that process, but a lot more than that needs to continue for the Steelers to find some competitive edge they can use against the Ravens and into the final weeks of the regular season in an attempt to make the playoffs.

Steelers Need To Get Younger Across The Defense

The Steelers and Slay making a mutual decision to release Slay is the start of a process that should continue into the offseason. Regardless of the Steelers' season results, they can now begin to get younger across key positions on defense, and releasing Slay was the first step in this process.

What did you think about Slay's comments on his release being mutual with the Steelers? Let us know in the comments below.

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