On Friday Ian Rapoport of NFL Media Insider reported that the Detroit Lions signed cornerback, Darius Slay, to a four-year, $48 million contract extension. According to a source that has knowledge of the contract, $23.1 million of the $48 million is guaranteed. Slay had been entering the final year of his rookie deal. Now he will be making just over $50 million for the next five years.
#Lions CB Darius Slay agreed to a 4-year extension worth $50.2M with $23M fully guaranteed, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 29, 2016
Detroit Lions Sign Darius Slay To Four-Year, $48 Million Contract Extension
Slay, 25, switched his agent back in January with the hopes of landing a long-term contract, per ESPN‘s Michael Rothstein. Slay felt like he was one of the NFL‘s top corners, and he wanted to be paid like one. In an interview with Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Slay spoke of his desire to be paid like one:
“I’m a top guy, that’s it. I ain’t no real cocky guy like that, but I’m just confident in my game and what I put on film. I’ve been very, very productive for the past two years. Every year I has got better, so I feel like this year is going to be the best year and I’m going to make that.
Right now I’ll say (I deserve to be paid among the) top seven, just cause as long as (Darrelle) Revis is in the game, he’s going to be the best corner to me.”
Career
The Detroit Lions selected Slay in the second round (36th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. Last year Slay started all sixteen games for the Lions. He also started 16 games in 2014. During that two year span, Slay had four interceptions, while defending 31 passes.
The former Mississippi State star has become one of the brighter spots on the Lions defense. He came very close to making his first Pro Bowl in 2015. Towards the end of last season, many teams were staying away from the side Slay was on; because receivers were finding it hard to get open. After Rashean Mathis went down with a season-ending concussion, Slay began covering the opposing teams best receiver.
Slay is the second defensive player the Lions signed to a long-term extension. Linebacker DeAndre Levy was the first, signing last season for four-years, $33.8 million.
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