Darius Slay wants to retire a Detroit Lion, has talked with Jeff Okudah

After a quick trip to Orlando for the Pro Bowl, Darius Slay traveled a few hours south this week for all of the Super Bowl activities in Miami. On Wednesday, he met with some members of the Detroit Lions media to talk about a few different topics on everyone’s mind.

After offering his thoughts on the passing of his favorite NBA player Kobe Bryant, Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah came up, and Slay mentioned that he and Okudah have already exchanged numbers and talked a little bit.

“I told him, ‘Enjoy this moment, cherish this experience. Man, it’s a great experience. You only do this it once,’” Slay said, adding that Okudah is a “hell of a player.”

Okudah, of course, is one of the hottest names for the Lions with the third overall pick in this year’s draft. Detroit is still looking for an outside cornerback to play opposite Slay, as Rashaan Melvin—last year’s starter—is set to become a free agent in March. Slay admits that he and Okudah would make a nice combo together.

“Yeah, that would be,” Slay said. “We’ll see how it turns out.”

Then conversation moved to Slay’s status in Detroit. The Pro Bowl corner is entering the final year of his contract and is still looking to grab an extension after the two sides failed to come to an agreement last year.

Slay said he wants to retire a Detroit Lion, but will just see what happens when it comes to this offseason.

“If they give me a contract, I’ll be blessed and fortunate enough for it,” Slay said. “Like I said, I always wanted to retire as a Detroit Lion, but if it don’t happen, it’s cool. It’ll be alright. If I don’t, someone will be getting a great player.”

As for the the potential of holding out without a new contract next season, Slay was non-committal.

“Nah, of course I want an extension, but however it turns out, we’ll see.”

You can watch the entire interview below via the Detroit Free Press (or click here if you don't see it.)