At 34 years old, the veteran cornerback is in a state of flux after being claimed on waivers by the Buffalo Bills. Slay, most recently of the Pittsburgh Steelers, is currently not reporting to the Bills. This begs the question as to what his long-term future with the team should be. This put the Bills above the defending Super Bowl winners in waiver priority. In any case, it didn’t take them long at all to snap up Slay — a big move to bolster their secondary.
Slay would still technically be on the Bills’ 53-man roster, but he has decided not to report. He lists personal reasons as the basis for his decision. During an appearance on the “Speakeasy” podcast, he stated, “Mostly, it’s a family decision kind of to it.” Yet his apparent desire to put family above all else has led to rampant speculation about his possible retirement. He’s clearly stepping through this part of his career wisely.
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said it was “unfortunate.” He was aware of the issues that often accompany Slay’s arrival. He wouldn’t commit to the idea that he’s still counting on the cornerback being in a Bills uniform. McDermott emphasized the need to focus on the current team dynamics, stating, “I’m really going to focus on our team right now.”
To clear a spot for Slay, the Bills released cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram. They had expected Ingram to get claimed on waivers but still hoped to be able to bring him back when needed. Slay likely to end up on reserve/did not report status by Friday. And the best part? He’s in the process of forcing himself to think about his future.
Slay’s tumultuous past with the Philadelphia Eagles provides another wrinkle. When pressed on whether he would guarantee he would report to the Eagles, he wouldn’t say that. He likes to consider things “day by day.” This mindful practice informs everything from how he conducts business to how he leads his personal life.
The Bills are certainly one to watch as this all unfolds. They are particularly paying attention to Slay’s decisions balancing his career with family considerations. These next few days will be critical. They’ll determine whether Slay makes the team or spends a more extended period away from the game.
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