The Buffalo Bills made a bit of a shocking move this past week to put in a claim for cornerback Darius Slay, who had been waived by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 34-year old corner was one of the league’s best, if not the best in his prime. However, he is past his prime, but could still provide some value. The Bills saw that value, put in the claim and they got him.
It was later reported that the Philadelphia Eagles, the team that he was with from 2020-2024 had also put in a claim in, but Buffalo had priority. However, Adam Schefter reported yesterday that Slay would not be reporting to Buffalo and was going to think about his future in the NFL.
Breaking: Veteran CB Darius Slay, whom the Buffalo Bills claimed on waivers Thursday, is unsure if he wants to continue playing and will not be reporting to Buffalo.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 4, 2025
“Slay is honored that a first-class organization like the Bills claimed him, but he is going to take some time… pic.twitter.com/HXUDxKM9Fo
In order to make room for Slay, who more than likely won’t be coming to Buffalo now, the Bills waived cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram, with hopes that he would be back on the practice squad. However, he was claimed by the Houston Texans. Or should I say the team that delivered a huge beatdown to Josh Allen in Week 12.
Now, the Bills essentially lost cornerback depth and could possibly not see Slay at all this season in Buffalo. If you’re not a Bills fan, this may be hilarious. But if you are, then this is just beyond frustrating. The only thing that’s more frustrating than this situation, is one of the reasons why Slay is choosing not to report to Buffalo.
Darius Slay gives laughable reason as to why he won't report to Bills
Per Thad Brown, Darius Slay talked with Emmanuel Acho on Speakeasy, and Slay discussed the reasons why Slay is choosing to not report to the Bills. First, Slay said that the fit wasn’t bad, it was just bad timing. But the other reason that Slay gave is that Buffalo is too cold, in which Slay made a joke out of it.
Darius Slay had plenty of nice things to say about the #Bills and Josh Allen. But not the Buffalo weather.
— Thad Brown (@thadbrown7) December 5, 2025
He's talked to the team. It was respectful.
He feels he's too old to move to a new city.
"It wasn't a bad fit. They just caught me at a bad time" pic.twitter.com/Hz1RJGYKfl
So, saying that Buffalo is cold to play in, yet signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency where it is just as cold is extremely laughable. That’s not a great excuse at all. I get it, Orchard Park can be very cold and snowy in November and December. However, Slay would have had the chance to join an organization that has stability and is in the Super Bowl window (whether it feels like it or not).
Overall, it just feels like Slay wanted to go somewhere else and Buffalo wasn’t the spot. Now the Bills are dealing with a player that doesn’t want to play for the team and has lost depth with Ja’Marcus Ingram. Brandon Beane will have to make a decision on whether or not Slay will remain on the roster, or if they will just move on from him.