Sportsnaut
A year ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers started on a really high note, even reaching a 10-3 record before dropping the final four games of the regular season. That trend continued in the playoffs, where the Steelers were convincingly bounced out of the Wild Card Round after a 28-14 loss.
Aaron Rodgers was brought in to help stabilize a team that felt like it already had strong leadership on both sides of the ball, and many other talented players followed suit.
Yet, now one of them has had enough of Pittsburgh.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Steelers and Slay have “mutually agreed to part ways.”
“Slay is interested in continuing to play and will consider signing with other teams,” Schefter wrote. “But his time in Pittsburgh has come to an end.”
Our guess is Slay is seeking an opportunity to join a team that is sitting well above .500, unlike the Steelers, who enter the Week 14 NFL schedule at 6-6.
Slay has started nine of his ten appearances with Pittsburgh this season, recording 36 tackles, three pass deflections, and a fumble recovery.
In a corresponding move, which may have also played into Slay’s decision-making, the Steelers have promoted cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. from the practice squad to the team’s active roster. Perhaps Slay caught wind of the move and felt like he’d have better opportunities to see the field elsewhere.
Either way, Slay, a 34-year-old one-time All-Pro cornerback, has hit the market when teams are making a playoff push. Chances are, he won’t be available for long after Slay clears waivers.
Related: 1 Bold Prediction for Each Game on Week 14 NFL Schedule
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