The Pittsburgh Steelers made the decision to sign 34-year-old cornerback Darius Slay to a one-year, fully guaranteed $10 million deal. This move comes after the Philadelphia Eagles won a Super Bowl and determined it was time to move on from Slay due to the emergence of their two young star corners. For Pittsburgh, paying $10 million for a veteran cornerback at this stage of his career has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike.
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Eagles' Darius Slay celebrates after getting a big time interception during an away game.
While some fans have questioned the logic behind investing so much in a 34-year-old player, others believe Slay can provide exactly what the Steelers need on the opposite side of Joey Porter Jr. His experience and ability to mentor younger players could be invaluable, especially as Pittsburgh aims to solidify their secondary for a strong 2025 season. Slay’s leadership could be a key factor in shaping the development of their defense.
Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo recently shed light on the true motivation behind the signing. Speaking on the North Shore Drive podcast, Fittipaldo suggested that the Steelers’ real reason for bringing in Slay was to give young cornerback Cory Trice Jr. more time to develop. With Trice being a promising talent, Slay’s presence could help ease the transition and give the Steelers an extra year to groom him for a starting role in the future.
"Another way you can look at this, Chris," Fittipaldo explained. "It’s simply buying Cory Trice another year. Cory hasn’t been able to get on the field because of his injuries. Now you have a veteran in front of him who is gonna start, but if Cory Trice can show them that he can be the guy in practice or through games when there are injuries, I think they will roll with Trice into the future. They just couldn’t do that this year just because he has been so injury-prone in his first two seasons."
The Steelers selected Trice in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, hoping to develop him into a key piece of their secondary. Unfortunately, a knee injury in training camp sidelined him for his entire rookie season. In 2024, Trice managed to play in six games, starting one, but once again struggled with injuries. Despite the setbacks, he showed progress, and the Steelers coaching staff remains high on his potential if he can stay healthy.
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Steelers' Cory Trice Jr. runs with the football after a key takeaway in a 2024 game against the Denver Broncos.
According to Fittipaldo, Trice possesses the exact skill set Pittsburgh wants in a cornerback opposite Porter, but the concern is his durability. When he’s been on the field—both in practice and in games—he has reportedly impressed the Steelers. However, with lingering doubts about his ability to stay on the field consistently, Pittsburgh couldn’t afford to enter the season relying on him as a starter.
Steelers Create One-Year Bridge To Cory Trice Jr.’s Future
Signing Slay gives the Steelers an immediate upgrade at the position while also serving as a bridge year for Trice. This move ensures stability in the secondary while allowing Trice time to develop and prove he can stay healthy heading into 2025. If he can avoid injuries and continue to progress, the Steelers could have their long-term answer at cornerback already on the roster.
Trice has continued to earn opportunities, and the only real knock on the seventh-round pick remains his durability. His injury concerns were well-documented during the draft process, which is why he fell so far in the first place. That uncertainty is exactly why Pittsburgh felt the need to invest $10 million in Slay, ensuring stability in the secondary while Trice continues to develop. If he can stay healthy and reach his potential, the Steelers could have a promising young duo with Trice and Porter in the future.
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Pittsburgh Steelers' newly signed cornerback Darius Slay during his opening press conference with the organization in March of 2025.
Beyond his on-field impact, Slay’s presence could be invaluable in mentoring Pittsburgh’s young defensive backs. His experience and leadership provide a veteran voice for Porter, Trice, and even nickel cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. to lean on as they grow into larger roles. Until Trice proves he can stay on the field, Slay serves as both a stopgap and a mentor, helping to guide the next generation of Steelers defensive backs.
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