Former Eagles CB Darius Slay Reportedly Asks Bills to Release Him So He Can Reunite with Detroit – Willing to Take Massive Pay Cut Just to Wear Honolulu Blue One More Time

Detroit, Michigan – 12/08/2025

The Detroit Lions are heading into the decisive stretch of the season, but off the field, a different story is shaking Motown to its core. According to multiple sources, former defensive star Darius Slay has asked the Buffalo Bills to terminate his contract so he can return to the place that made his name: Detroit. Most shockingly, Slay is reportedly willing to accept a salary far below his market value just to wear Honolulu Blue again.

The news exploded after Slay suddenly refused to report to the Bills and was placed on the Reserve/Did Not Report list. While the public assumed the move stemmed from family issues or reluctance to relocate, sources close to the situation revealed a completely different reason. At 34 years old, Slay feels Detroit is where he wants to finish his career, the place where he believes he played his best football and where he still has “unfinished business.”

“I just want to go back to where I belong. Sometimes the heart speaks louder than the contract. In Detroit, I always felt I played with everything I had, and if there’s one last chance to end my career in the place that truly feels like ‘home,’ I’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen,” Slay shared.

As the story spread, the Lions fan reaction was instantaneous. On X and Facebook, the movement “Bring Him Home” quickly became the top trending hashtag in Detroit. Highlight clips from his 2017 season, when Slay led the NFL with 8 interceptions, were reshared thousands of times. With a secondary currently lacking depth and veteran leadership, Slay’s potential return suddenly became not just emotional, but a legitimate tactical move.

During his time with the Lions from 2013 to 2019, Slay wasn’t just a Pro Bowl CB, he was an icon. “Big Play Slay” was the face of Detroit’s entire defense, the player who created game-changing moments, and a respected leader in the locker room. The fact that he is willing to take a pay cut to come back, even turning down a playoff contender like Buffalo, only reinforces to fans that he truly wants to finish his career in Detroit, not somewhere else.

Still, for this to become reality, two things must happen: the Bills have to agree to let Slay go, and the Lions have to clear a path for him to return to the roster. The decision now rests with the front offices in Buffalo and Detroit. But with the “Bring Him Home” movement growing louder by the hour, one thing is crystal clear, Darius Slay’s heart never left Detroit, and Detroit has never forgotten him.