.@bigplay24slay isn't going anywhere 🦅 @Eagles pic.twitter.com/IL5vkzO4PQ
— NFL (@NFL) March 17, 2023
Darius Slay is staying with the Eagles after agreeing to a two-year, $42 million deal that includes $23 million guaranteed according to Ian Rapoport.
It’s a 2-year, $42M extension with $23M guaranteed at signing, per agents Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey. https://t.co/JzkOhRzZDR
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2023
Restructuring Slay’s deal would have created $12.25 million of cap space for the Eagles, but they’ll now create $13,068,000 of cap space and Slay gets $23 million over 2023 and 2024 with the guaranteed dollars that he was looking for.
If he can maintain his level of play, the Pro Bowl cornerback could end his career earning $42 million and almost $90 over a five-year period in Philadelphia.
With the band back together, here’s an instant analysis of the extension.
Eagles get more cap space
The Eagles are keeping Slay on a two-year deal, and the move creates $12 million in cap space with a timely extension per Over The Cap.
Slay maintains an elite salary
Slay was entering the final year of a three-year, $50 million extension that averaged out to $16 million per season.
With the contract extension, the 2-year, $42 million puts Slay at No. 1 with Jaire Alexander at $21 million per season per Over The Cap.
Don't believe the lies, Slay is elite
The production was as dominant during the second half of the season, but Slay is far from declining.
Darius Slay recorded a pass defensed on 7 of his 17 targets in man coverage in 2022.
Slay was targeted at the 2nd-lowest rate in man coverage among outside cornerbacks last season (12.1%, min. 100 coverage snaps).@bigplay24slay | @Eagles https://t.co/U23ri4JLqS
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 16, 2023
Dismantled defense once again is a strength
Philadelphia had 9 key contributors on defense test free agency, and after initially losing Javon Hargrave, T.J. Edwards, Kyzir White, and Marcus Epps, the Eagles maintained a core group to build around.
Sean Desai’s revamped defense will have three pass rushers coming off double-digit sacks, a healthy Jordan Davis, a hungry Nakobe Dean, and a trio of cornerbacks that’s among the league’s best as a whole.
Contract details
The two-year extension holds $23 million in guarantees and it’s probable that Slay could make all of that in 2023. The extension nets Slay $6 million in new money, Really, the value is $23 million, the guaranteed component. It’s a $6 million raise for Slay per season over the next two years and if he continues to be elite, then he’ll land $19 million more between now and 2025.
