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According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Detroit Lions are receiving interest from multiple teams about Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay.
Lions have spoken with multiple teams about a potential trade for Pro Bowl CB Darius Slay, per sources. Any team that trades for Slay would have to compensate Detroit and Slay with a new deal. Other teams believe Slay will be traded this off-season, but Lions adamant on value.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 17, 2020
The 29-year old Slay has made the Pro Bowl each of the last three seasons. Last summer he expressed frustration about his pay and missed voluntary workouts and the Lions’ mandatory minicamp in search of a new contract. Talks didn’t go anywhere and he made it back before training camp opened.
Denver had its own disgruntled cornerback last spring, which led to them giving Chris Harris Jr. a pay bump in May. The new deal did not prevent John Elway and the Broncos from actively exploring the trade market up to the deadline in 2019, which included talks of a Harris for Slay swap.
One sidebar to Broncos-Lions today: Back at trade deadline Oct. 29, the teams talk swap of CBs Chris Harris Jr. and Darius Slay per league sources. Lions were also asking for more so deal never close. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) December 22, 2019
Which brings us to this offseason. All signs point to Harris leaving for a new team once free agency opens in March. That means the Broncos will have a noticeable hole in the secondary.
UPDATE:
A little before 3 PM 9New’s Mike Klis tweeted out some clarifying details about the Broncos’ past interest.
To be clear on Slay-Harris talks at trade deadline: DET initiated talks, per sources. Broncos were willing to move Harris after he declined 2-yr offer w/1-yr/$12.5M gua.
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) February 17, 2020
But DET also wanted high-round pick. No deal.
Harris soon-to-be Free Agent; Slay 1 yr, $10.47M left. #9sports
The rumors that Slay wants a new deal with an APY in the $15 million ball park may be enough to cool interest from Elway and the Broncos. Why trade a Day 2 pick and negotiate a large new deal when there appears to be a strong cornerback group headed for free agency?