Slay Brings Wealth of Knowledge to Pittsburgh

by Bo Marchionte
@bomarchionte | College2Pro.com
Published July 29, 2025, 5:56 PM

LATROBE, Pa. – As the Pro Football Hall of Fame prepares to welcome its Class of 2025 this weekend a lineup headlined by icons like Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Antonio Gates, and Sterling Sharpe.

It’s worth pausing to consider the next wave of candidates waiting in the wings that are entering the twilight of their careers in Pittsburgh. The Steelers have acquired three new players that are worthy of wearing the coveted gold jacket. 

And while Aaron Rodgers is a lock and Jalen Ramsey’s resume glitters with seven Pro Bowl nods and three First-Team All-Pro selections. The next up is Darius Slay.

Slay isn’t campaigning for Canton, I wanted to ask him about it. He’s just showing up, locking down receivers, and letting the film speak for itself. But when asked if he ever thinks about one day joining the legends in bronze, All-Pro corner didn’t shy away.

“I always think about it,” Slay admitted after a rain-soaked Steelers practice was cut short in Latrobe. “You know, I done, did some great years, and I had a real great career. I’m hoping for sure. Getting that Super Bowl, I kind of hope I can get a better chance of getting in there, but we’ll see.”

Now entering his 13th NFL season, Slay has quietly built one of the most consistent careers at the cornerback position. With six Pro Bowl nods including in six of his last seven seasons and a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2017, his numbers demand attention. He’s also played in 177 games, starting 167 of them, after being drafted in the second round by the Detroit Lions back in 2013.

Then, in a moment of perspective, he added with a smile: “If it happens it happens if it don’t man, I’m really blessed. If I hang up these cleats today, I feel really great about how it all panned.”

What’s allowed him to stick around this long? Slay says it’s his ability to win in any type of coverage.

“I’m everything,” he said confidently, wearing his alma mater zip up Mississippi State hoodie. “Off man, press man whatever I need to do to win the down.”

That versatility has been his calling card since day one. Slay can shadow WR1s all over the field and still deliver in the run game a rare trait in an era built around specialization.

Now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Slay brings more than just his lockdown ability. He brings championship experience and the kind of locker room presence that can’t be measured on a stat sheet. Coming off a Super Bowl win last season, he’s already sharing lessons in his new home.

“We’ve all talked about it a little bit in the locker room,” he said. “The main thing is connection. A lot of hanging with each other, a lot of trust, and putting the team first.”

In Pittsburgh, where Super Bowl dreams are forever stitched into the fabric of training camp, Slay feels like a perfect fit both on the field and in mindset.

And while this weekend’s Hall of Fame ceremonies will shine the spotlight on legends of the past, Slay’s path suggests he might not be far behind. His bronze bust may not be sculpted just yet but if it is someday, it’ll be for a player who never stopped showing up, locking in, and doing everything to win the down.

Slay the day.

Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com