After a year or so of angling for a new contract, Darius Slay cashed in Thursday with the Eagles.
Philadelphia gave the three-time Pro Bowler a three-year, $50 million deal after acquiring him from the Lions for a pair of draft picks. That makes Slay the top-paid cornerback in the NFL, with an average annual salary of $16.67 million.
If the Lions didn't think Slay was worth that kind of money, his peers clearly do. Several of them took to Twitter to congratulate him on the well-earned payday.
Yessuhh congrats @_bigplayslay23 you earned it!!
— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) March 19, 2020@_bigplayslay23 boy slay spoke it into existence!! Know ya worth!!!Control ya own destiny then!!!! ---- congrats!!!
— cameron jordan (@camjordan94) March 19, 2020Congrats @_bigplayslay23 !Easily one of the best corners in the game is going to rock out in Philly! This guy routinely covers the #1 WR WITH NO HELP!NFC East aint ready for that
— Mike Daniels (@Mike_Daniels76) March 19, 2020Slay has consistently placed himself among the top corners in the game. And his numbers back him up. He ranks first in the NFL in passes defended (99) and fourth in picks (19) since 2014.
As for the advanced metrics that say otherwise, again Slay's peers are on his side.
Sorry my guys, he is not the 83rd best CB. That is a lie that some will believe. #WatchTheTape he play man to man every down, even when he shouldn't, he manned up. Tough duty, only 1% of the works can do. https://t.co/Uk4Uh4CPVb
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) March 19, 2020This is just Stupid! All I do is watch wide receiver and corner back tape!!! In my humble opinion slay is top 5 easily. It's a different world playing PRESS on a teams #1 wideout each week. BAG MAN!!! ----✊------ https://t.co/UxHgBNRS11
— Joe Haden (@joehaden23) March 19, 2020Slay even got a shoutout from one of idols, Deion Sanders.
@_bigplayslay23 is a grown man out there on that island. He matches up with the opposing teams #1 rec and competes each & every play. The boy makes plays & I approve this CORNER! #Truth
— Deion Sanders (@DeionSanders) March 19, 2020Not a bad day for Big Play Slay.
