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Buffalo Bills claim former SB champion, All-Pro CB on waivers to bolster secondary

The Bills have brought in Darius Slay to help bolster the team's cornerback corps.
Alex Brasky|
Nov 2, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Darius Slay (23) reacts as he takes the field against the Indianapolis Colts at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Nov 2, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Darius Slay (23) reacts as he takes the field against the Indianapolis Colts at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

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Another new face is joining the party.

The Buffalo Bills made an effort to bolster their secondary on Wednesday, when the team announced it had claimed veteran cornerback Darius Slay on waivers from the Pittsburgh Steelers. In a corresponding move, the Bills released CB Ja'Marcus Ingram, who had been with the team since signing as an undrafted free agent before the start of the 2022 season.

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Darius Slay
Sep 26, 2025; Maynooth, Ireland; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Darius Slay (23) during practice at Carton House. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Where's he been?

Slay was released at his request earlier this week after he was a healthy scratch for the Steelers’ Week 13 loss to the Bills on Sunday afternoon. The 13-year veteran has played in 10 games for Pittsburgh this season, recording just three passes defensed, and allowing 26 receptions for 302 yards and a touchdown while being targeted 37 times, equating to an opposing passer rating of 103.7, per NFL Pro.

The 34-year-old cornerback is a six-time Pro Bowler who previously spent five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before being released this offseason and subsequently signing with the Steelers as a free agent. Last season with the Super Bowl champion Eagles, Slay played in 14 games, recording 13 passes defensed while finishing without an interception for the first time since his rookie season.

Before his five years spent in Philadelphia, he was drafted by the Lions and went on to play seven seasons in Detroit, including a first-team All-Pro campaign in 2017.

MORE: Christian Benford's NFL honor highlights Buffalo Bills CB's surging performance

Darius Slay
Oct 26, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Darius Slay (23) looks on against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Where's he fit?

He joins the Bills’ group of boundary cornerbacks that includes Christian Benford, Tre’Davious White and Maxwell Hairston. Benford is the team’s No. 1 option at the position, while White and Hairston have split time since Hairston’s return from injury in Week 8. Buffalo currently leads the league in pass defense, allowing just 163.2 yards per game.

The Bills' claim for Slay is likely insurance in case Benford, White or Hairston are to miss any time down the stretch.

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Alex Brasky
ALEX BRASKY

Alex Brasky is editor of Bills Digest and host of the Buffalo Pregame podcast. He has been on the Bills beat the past six seasons and now joins Sports Illustrated hoping to expand his coverage of Buffalo’s favorite football team.

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