Darius Slay wants more money from the Lions, and he's prepared to skip minicamp to let the team know it.
In a conversation with former Lions cornerback Crezdon Butler Monday on Instagram Live, Slay said he's not reporting for the mandatory three-day camp that starts Tuesday in Allen Park. That would be status quo this offseason for Slay, who also sat out Detroit's voluntary team activities.
Slay, 28, has two years remaining on the four-year, $48 million extension he signed in 2016. He's scheduled to earn a base salary of about $12.5 million in 2019 and $10 million in 2020.
His average annual salary places him 13th among cornerbacks. An All-Pro in 2017 and a Pro-Bowler last season, Slay's angling to move up that list.
Here's his exchange with Butler, via Pride of Detroit.
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.
We'll see on Tuesday if Slay means what he said. He's not Detroit's only star who could be headed for a holdout. Damon Harrison, who's also believed to be angling for a raise, has skipped the duration of the team's optional workouts as well.
According to Lions GM Bob Quinn, though, Harrison's absence has not been contract related.
Slay and Harrison share an agent, so if one sits out minicamp it wouldn't be a surprise if the other does, too. Harrison has two years remaining on his five-year, $46 million deal. His performance last season certainly warrants a raise.
Both players risk fines if they don't report for camp. They already forfeited $250,000 a pop in workout bonuses.
Asked about the duo's absence at the start of OTAs, Matt Patricia said he was concerned with the players who were present.
