In a move that felt inevitable, the Lions traded Darius Slay on Thursday.
He's headed to Philadelphia, according to reports, in exchange for a third- and fifth-round pick.
Eagles are trading a third- and fifth-round pick in 2020 draft to Detroit for Darius Slay, per source. https://t.co/o2LPCtHK0M
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 19, 2020In addition, the Eagles have signed Slay to a three-year, $50 million deal that includes $30 million guaranteed, according to Adam Schefter. In terms of average annual salary, he's now the highest paid-cornerback in the NFL.
Slay's payday is why the Lions wanted to move him. They weren't willing to give him the money he wanted, and Slay wasn't willing to sign an extension for anything less. With the move, Detroit will save about $10.5 million against the cap in 2020.
Slay was entering the final year of the four-year, $48 million deal he signed in 2016. Since then, he leads the NFL in passes defended (69) and is tied for third in picks (15). He's been to the Pro Bowl each of the last three seasons.
But a trade started to feel possible when Slay sat out mandatory minicamp last summer as he angled for a new deal, and it grew likelier over the course of the season as he butted heads with Matt Patricia and his no-nonsense culture. Now it's official.
Trading Slay is Detroit's biggest move in its defensive makeover. Devon Kennard, Damon Harrison, Mike Daniels and A'Shawn Robinson are also gone from a unit that allowed over 400 yards per game.
To replace them, the Lions have brought in linebacker Jamie Collins, defensive tackles Nick Williams and Danny Shelton, safeties Duron Harmon and Jayron Kearse and cornerback Desmond Trufant.
