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After seven seasons, Darius Slay has solidified his reputation as one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. But with just one year remaining on his deal, a future where Slay continues to be a Pro Bowl player for the Detroit Lions may be in jeopardy.
According to a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Lions and Slay remain in conversation about a long-term contract, but it doesn’t seem like any sort of agreement to a new deal is imminent:
The Lions and Pro Bowl corner Darius Slay continue to discuss a long-term contract, but the expectation exists that he could re-enter the trade market if no deal is reached in coming weeks, per source. Both sides have been at this for a while, still no deal for 2021 FA.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 3, 2020
On the side of optimism, the Lions and Slay still have the “coming weeks” to work towards reaching an agreement that will keep one of team’s best players in Detroit for the foreseeable future. Lions general manager Bob Quinn has been able to work out extensions with other marquee players like Matthew Stafford and Damon Harrison Sr. to avoid any sort of a holdout, so this becomes a matter of if Detroit wants to keep Slay in the fold. With the Boston Boys on the hot seat for 2020, having a three-time Pro Bowl player like Slay on your side of the field is far better than the alternative considering the team’s depth at cornerback.
But if there’s an “expectation” that Slay could re-enter the trade market after both the Lions and Slay’s camp have been at the negotiating table for a while, any sense of optimism is seemingly snuffed out when you take into consideration everything that happened over the course of the 2019 season. Slay’s comments about a lack of loyalty after Detroit traded fellow defensive back Quandre Diggs felt representative of the culture change going on under Matt Patricia, and made Slay a likely candidate to become a victim of the “Patriot Way.”
All of this leads us to today’s Question of the Day:
Do you think the Lions will sign Darius Slay to an extension?
I really, really don’t think Slay would be a part of Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia’s long-term plan, regardless of the precarious situation they find themselves in heading into next season.
I don’t think the duo would bend to the demands of a player a season away from 30 wanting a contract extension. And ultimately, I don’t see them not betting on themselves; they’re not operating under the assumption 2020 will be their last hurrah, so they’re not going to sacrifice their big-picture vision for the sake of a single season. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least to see this front office trade a Pro Bowl player in the prime of their career because, well, you know.
Your turn.