Darius Slay not planning on attending mandatory minicamp

Darius Slay has remained relatively quiet over the past few weeks. The Lions star cornerback has been absent throughout the Detroit Lions’ voluntary workouts including the first two weeks of OTAs.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Slay is hoping for a new contract. Though the Lions’ All-Pro cornerback has two years remaining left on his deal, an argument could easily be made that he is getting underpaid in comparison to other top-tier cornerbacks.

With mandatory minicamp on the horizon (they start on Tuesday), the question is whether Slay will show up or officially begin his holdout. On Monday afternoon, we may have gotten our answer.

During an Instagram Live session, Slay was talking with his former teammate Crezdon Butler. Here’s the relevant portion of their conversation:

Butler: Where you at? You in Brunswick?

Slay: No, I’m in Detroit, man. Finally get some heat.

Butler: What y’all got? OTAs? I mean, minicamp?

Slay: I don’t know, I ain’t goin.

Butler: Why you ain’t goin, bro?

Slay: Hey man, I’m chillin’, man.

Butler: You chillin? You ain’t gonna get no money at OTAs anyways.

Slay: Y’all know. Tell me about it.

Note: It’s worth noting that Slay can, in fact, earn money by attending OTAs. Slay has a $250,000 workout bonus that is likely in jeopardy after missing the first two weeks.

So unless something changes in the next 24 hours, it appears Slay will officially begin his holdout on Tuesday. In addition to Slay, Damon Harrison Sr. has also been absent from OTAs and is also seeking a new contract. However, the Lions have gone on record saying Harrison’s absence is not contract related.

We’ll see on Tuesday if both are skipping out on minicamp.