The Lions traded Darius Slay five years ago. How did it go for Detroit, the Eagles, and Slay?
In 2020, Darius Slay wanted a new contract but didn’t get it with the team that drafted him in the early second round in 2013. Staring at his age-30 season, the Detroit Lions instead sent Slay to the Philadelphia Eagles despite three straight Pro Bowl seasons and an All-Pro nod.
How should Lions fans feel about the trade?
Original terms of the 2020 Darius Slay trade
Eagles receive: CB Darius Slay
Lions receive: 2020 third-round pick (85), 2020 fifth-round pick (166)
Who did the Lions select with the picks from the Darius Slay trade?
The Lions received a 2020 third-round pick (85) and a 2020 fifth-round pick (166) from the Eagles in exchange for Darius Slay. Detroit would then go on to trade pick 85 as a part of a trade-up package with the Indianapolis Colts during the 2020 NFL Draft . The Lions sent 85, 149 (fifth), and 182 (sixth) to Indianapolis, getting back 75 and 197 (sixth) in return. Detroit selected guard Jonah Jackson with pick 75 and defensive tackle John Penisini with pick 197.
The Lions selected wide receiver Quintez Cephus with pick 166.
Jonah Jackson is the big hit on the list, starting 61 games for Detroit from 2020-2023 and making the Pro Bowl in 2021. While Jackson was a very good starter, injury issues began to appear over his final two seasons with the Lions. He was allowed to walk in free agency, where he signed with the Rams in 2024 and was subsequently placed on IR just four games into the season.
Quintez Cephus was a depth receiver who did manage some solid contributions for Detroit from 2020-2021, piling up 553 yards and four touchdowns in 18 games played. He was placed on IR four games into the 2022 season and later released by Detroit.
John Penisini was a rotational defensive lineman for the Lions and actually played a significant role in 2020, appearing in all 16 games and starting 12 with some pretty intriguing flashes (1.0 sack, 4 TFL). He would be pushed down the depth chart in 2021 and never regained his starting job, eventually making his way to the Panthers in 2023.
How was Darius Slay’s performance for the Eagles?
Darius Slay immediately became an important starter and stabilizing force in the Eagles secondary, starting 14 games in 2020. His value would only increase from there, as Slay was named to three straight Pro Bowls from 2021-2023. Slay received a two-year contract extension in 2023, keeping him with the Eagles through the 2025 season. While his play dipped a little in 2024, Slay was still a major piece on a Super Bowl -winning defense. He was released for salary cap reasons heading into 2025, and signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers .
Overall, Slay was a slam-dunk acquisition for Philadelphia. He started 73 games over five seasons, received three Pro Bowl selections, and helped the Eagles achieve two Super Bowl appearances, one Super Bowl victory, six total postseason wins, and four straight playoff trips from 2021-2024. While he did have injury issues throughout his tenure that caused him to miss time in all but one of his seasons in Philadelphia, he was an integral player who helped lead the Eagles through a tumultuous 2020 and into a period of sustained postseason success.
Who won the Darius Slay trade between the Eagles and the Lions?
While I think the Lions are largely satisfied with the return from this trade, especially considering the potential risk posed by giving a bunch of guaranteed money to an aging corner, but the Eagles do come out ahead. Slay’s contributions to two Super Bowl teams along with an impressive run of four-straight Pro Bowl appearances outweigh what the Lions got from Jonah Jackson and a pair of rotational/depth players. Nobody “lost” this trade, but Philadelphia is the winner.
Slay made a total of $66.2 million over five years in Philadelphia, working out to $13.2 million per year.