Darius Slay claimed on waivers by Buffalo

[Kelly to Allen]

3 hours ago, Einstein said:

 

I would love this.

 

I really hope they sign a vet cb like this for depth in the playoffs 

[Shortchaz]

15 minutes ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

Agree. Not to mention— the Bills can’t set some negative precedent and let these players manipulate the waiver system like this. 

I tend to agree in principle, but am also of the mind to take the high road. 
 

just for the football gods.

[BigAl2526]

Since Buffalo put Slay on the "reserved did not report" list, I wonder if they will release him after Buffalo plays Philadelphia.  There is no reason for Buffalo to keep him there indefinitely besides spite.  At the same time, I don't especially want to help a future opponent.

[Sierra Foothills]

13 hours ago, Cheektowaga Chad said:

If anything rosenhaus is more worried the bills will hold it against him 

 

Rosenhaus won't hold it against the bills

 

Look at the schefter tweet - at the end someone added something along the lines of " slay is honored an organization such as the bills would claim him"

 

The added quote likely wasn't from slay 

 

Yes. Rosenhaus is a players agent. There's no emotion in anything he does. He's a reptile, a pragmatist. He represents Greg Rousseau and Jordan Poyer.

 

He couldn't care less about the outcome but he's certainly happy to have his name in the news.

 

12 hours ago, mjt328 said:

As revealed by many sources, it's against NFL rules for him to contact Slay or his agent before putting through the waiver wire claim.  Beane had no way to know Slay would rather retire than play for an 8-4 perennial Super Bowl contender... outside of tampering and taking the risk of getting caught/punished by the league.  We did things by the book, and end up losing a player (Ingram) for following the correct procedure.

 

Meanwhile, (based on the information that has come out) the Eagles likely did tamper with Slay.  They will never get officially caught or punished, and will almost certainly end up with him on their roster before the year's end anyway.

 

All true. And even if Beane knew what the slimy play was, why should he go along with it? Phaq Slay, Phag the Steelers, and Phaq the Eagles. Not on our watch.

 

The Bills have been bitten in the playoffs due to a lack of CB depth. They had the opportunity to improve at the position and worst case, prevent the Eagles, who we play in 3 weeks and could face in the Super Bowl, of a player they covet and know how to use.

 

12 hours ago, LabattBlue said:

You really believe that BB put in a claim for Slay with the intention of waiving Ingram without running the scenario by McD?

 

Exactly. It's preposterous to think this, as it's preposterous to think that McDermott and Beane are at odds.

 

There's a nuclear stupid bomb that's hit this topic.

 

10 hours ago, BRH said:

After hearing what he said, I wish him a merry Christmas and a happy new year at home with his family while he remains on our reserve/did not report list and explains to his wife that he just gave up $2.5M in prorated signing bonus in order to do that.

 

I didn't have to hear what the player said. I couldn't care less.

 

To the player: You're not entitled to dictate the terms of your employment. You made a slimy play and you lost.

Eat it.

 

5 hours ago, paulmm3 said:

For me there should be absolutely nothing emotional in the decision not to release Slay. Nothing against him, no hard feelings. But we're not giving another team trying to win the Super Bowl (Eagles) a player they can use for free. It's just good strategy to force Slay to report to Buffalo or to retire.

 

As I said before (actually any 3 pages of a 40 page topic captures all that needs to be said but seeing as we're going around in circles, I have just as much right as anyone), the people who hate Beane so much that they can't even think straight anymore would have a field day in 3 weeks if Slay picked off Josh for the Eagles.

 

"We could have claimed him! He was on waivers! Wah! Wah! Wah!

 

Edited 14 hours ago by Sierra Foothills

[paulmm3]

I don't see a reason to release Slay after we play the Eagles on the 28th. We could see them again in the Super Bowl, however unlikely that may be. And we shouldn't give them any resources they can use to beat us at any point when we still might play them again. Can you imagine losing the Super Bowl to the Eagles on a Darius Slay interception because we decided "nah, he's not that important to Philadelphia and the chances we both make the Super Bowl are tiny, let's just be nice and let him go where he wants."

 

I'd be okay with releasing Slay and letting him go to the Eagles after it's assured there is zero chance we will see the Eagles again this year. If we don't qualify for the playoffs or are eliminated before the Eagles are.

Edited 13 hours ago by paulmm3

[BillsFanForever19]

15 hours ago, BigAl2526 said:

Since Buffalo put Slay on the "reserved did not report" list, I wonder if they will release him after Buffalo plays Philadelphia.  There is no reason for Buffalo to keep him there indefinitely besides spite.  At the same time, I don't especially want to help a future opponent.

 

There absolutely is a reason to keep him on the list besides spite...

 

When you claim a player on waivers, you take on the contract of the team that waived him (in this case, the Steelers). 

 

Had Slay not been claimed, he would then become a Free Agent and that contract would remain on the Steelers books. But since we claimed him, The Steelers are now free and clear of contractual obligations.

 

It works the same way for us. If we waive him and he goes unclaimed, we are stuck paying him the remainder of that contract for the rest of the year.

 

Considering the Bills and the Eagles were the only teams to put in a claim originally before all this mess - there's no way any team claims him if we waive him. Every other team in the league knows he won't report to any team but the Eagles (and weren't interested before all this, so why would they be now?). And bc of that, the Eagles know that they don't need to put in a claim. They can just sign him and pay week to week vet minimum, after he undoubtedly clears waivers.

 

If we cut him, we would be stuck still paying for him for the rest of the season. Literally the only way to prevent that is to put him on that list and keep him there, unless he reports.

 

Also, by putting him on that list and keeping him there, we could recoup a 5 game prorated amount from his 8.9m signing bonus. So not only could we not have to pay the contract we're currently on the hook for, we could stand to make money out of him being on that list, that we could then use to pay for other players. So we'd actually stand to gain something out of this mess.

 

Long story short, this is the only move. It's not just spite. We'd actually be pretty stupid to waive him. Even if Howie Roseman called Brandon and swore he'd claim him, thus clearing of us financial obligation - we'd have to do it on blind faith that he'd stay true to his word when he doesn't have to.

Edited 1 minute ago by BillsFanForever19

[Kelly to Allen]

15 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

There absolutely is a reason to keep him on the list besides spite...

 

When you claim a player on waivers, you take on the contract of the team that waived him (in this case, the Steelers). 

 

Had Slay not been claimed, he would then become a Free Agent and that contract would remain on the Steelers book. But since we claimed him, The Steelers are now free and clear of contractual obligations.

 

It works the same way for us. If we waive him and he goes unclaimed, we are stuck paying him the remainder of that contract for the rest of the year.

 

Considering the Bills and the Eagles were the only teams to put in a claim originally before all this mess - there's no way any team claims him if we waive him. Every other team in the league knows he won't report to any team but the Eagles. And bc of that, the Eagles know that they don't need to put in a claim. They can just sign him and pay week to week vet minimum.

 

If we cut him, we would be stuck still paying for him for the rest of the season. Literally the only way to prevent that is to put him on that list and keep him there, unless he reports.

 

Also, by putting him on that list and keeping him there, we also could recoup a 5 game prorated amount from his 8.9m signing bonus. So not only could we not have to pay the contract we're currently on the hook for, we could stand to make money out of him being there that we could use for others.

 

Long story short, this is the only move. It's not just spite. We'd actually be pretty stupid to waive him.

 

This is very well put. Not to mention he could obviously change his mind in a couple weeks and the depth could obviously help. There's only upside in keeping him. 

 

Plus it has nothing to do with spite. The bills are under no obligation to help another team. That's silly 

 

 

Edited 13 hours ago by Kelly to Allen

[Rochesterfan]

7 hours ago, BigAl2526 said:

Since Buffalo put Slay on the "reserved did not report" list, I wonder if they will release him after Buffalo plays Philadelphia.  There is no reason for Buffalo to keep him there indefinitely besides spite.  At the same time, I don't especially want to help a future opponent.

 

Sure there is - Philly could be your SB opponent.

 

 

[BlueRed]

What happens if Slay decides to change his mind and report to the Bills next week. I assume the Bills would either need to cut another player from the 53 to make room, or decide to release him then. 
 

If I’m Slay, I may consider this as a 4D chess move to get what he wants because I’m not sure I see the Bills cutting another player to make room for him again …

[Solomon Grundy]

15 hours ago, Einstein said:

 

I would love this.

McDermott would never do this

16 hours ago, Steptide said:

Not the worst idea... 

 

 

 

18 hours ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

I say Beane has to go. This BBB nickname is BS, Allen is who had saved his job.

 

Get McDermott a GM that can scout a hell of a lot better and let's see what happens.

Isn't McDermott the one who helped bring him here?

[BuffaloBillyG]

8 hours ago, BigAl2526 said:

Since Buffalo put Slay on the "reserved did not report" list, I wonder if they will release him after Buffalo plays Philadelphia.  There is no reason for Buffalo to keep him there indefinitely besides spite.  At the same time, I don't especially want to help a future opponent.

If this was the Slay of 3-4 years ago that may make some sense. Of course, if he was still that same player he wouldn't be on the waiver wire from Pittsburgh. 

 

The guy isn't that player anymore. In fact, he's been such a shell of himself, it would actually make more sense to let him go, sign with Philly and abuse him in a few weeks when we play the Eagles 

[Not at the table Karlos]

8 hours ago, BigAl2526 said:

Since Buffalo put Slay on the "reserved did not report" list, I wonder if they will release him after Buffalo plays Philadelphia.  There is no reason for Buffalo to keep him there indefinitely besides spite.  At the same time, I don't especially want to help a future opponent.

Spite is a good enough reason. 

44 minutes ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

If this was the Slay of 3-4 years ago that may make some sense. Of course, if he was still that same player he wouldn't be on the waiver wire from Pittsburgh. 

 

The guy isn't that player anymore. In fact, he's been such a shell of himself, it would actually make more sense to let him go, sign with Philly and abuse him in a few weeks when we play the Eagles 

He’s still decent in zone. He lost his man coverage skills. 

[BigAl2526]

4 hours ago, Rochesterfan said:

 

Sure there is - Philly could be your SB opponent.

 

 

A slim chance.

9 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

There absolutely is a reason to keep him on the list besides spite...

 

When you claim a player on waivers, you take on the contract of the team that waived him (in this case, the Steelers). 

 

Had Slay not been claimed, he would then become a Free Agent and that contract would remain on the Steelers books. But since we claimed him, The Steelers are now free and clear of contractual obligations.

 

It works the same way for us. If we waive him and he goes unclaimed, we are stuck paying him the remainder of that contract for the rest of the year.

 

Considering the Bills and the Eagles were the only teams to put in a claim originally before all this mess - there's no way any team claims him if we waive him. Every other team in the league knows he won't report to any team but the Eagles. And bc of that, the Eagles know that they don't need to put in a claim. They can just sign him and pay week to week vet minimum.

 

If we cut him, we would be stuck still paying for him for the rest of the season. Literally the only way to prevent that is to put him on that list and keep him there, unless he reports.

 

Also, by putting him on that list and keeping him there, we also could recoup a 5 game prorated amount from his 8.9m signing bonus. So not only could we not have to pay the contract we're currently on the hook for, we could stand to make money out of him being there that we could use for others.

 

Long story short, this is the only move. It's not just spite. We'd actually be pretty stupid to waive him.

Thanks.  That is helpful to know.

[SoonerBillsFan]

3 hours ago, Solomon Grundy said:

McDermott would never do this

 

Isn't McDermott the one who helped bring him here?

And now its bit him in the butt

[DaBillsFanSince1973]

34. doesn't want to relocate. puts family first. doesn't like the cold. all seem like good reasons to not want to be in buffalo. 

 

 

 

next.

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

My view originally was to take the high road and release him. But given that his shenanigans led to us losing Ingram, no dice. It would be one thing if it were, “no harm, no foul.”

[Mr. WEO]

On 12/5/2025 at 10:46 AM, Tanoros said:

I think it’s important to look at what the roster actually was supposed to be this season, especially in the trenches, rather than judging strictly by what it became after injuries.

 

On the D-line:

We only got 64 snaps of Hoecht, but those snaps made it very clear why Beane signed him. He was explosive, powerful, and disruptive, exactly the kind of presence we’ve been missing opposite Bosa. Adding a healthy Hoecht to Bosa and an Oliver who came out red-hot in Week 1 had the real potential to give us one of the strongest defensive fronts we’ve fielded in years.

 

No, we can’t say for certain what the line would have looked like over a full season, but it’s absolutely fair to say losing Hoecht changed the makeup of the defense. His early play suggested he was going to be a major upgrade against the run and a boost to the pass rush. Pair that with Bosa’s talent and Oliver’s fast start, and Beane clearly had built this line to be a strength.

 

If anything, the problem wasn’t the plan, it’s that injuries wiped out the plan before it had a chance to take shape.

 

On the O-line:

The idea that this offensive line is “bad at pass protection” doesn’t match the actual data. According to SI’s evaluation of the 2024 season,  with the exact same five starters we brought into 2025, the Bills:

 

• allowed just 14 sacks, the fewest in the NFL

• ranked among the top pass-blocking units by several analytic measures

• posted one of the league’s better pass-block win rates

• and received strong individual protection grades across all five positions

 

These aren’t subjective observations, they’re objective league-wide comparisons. Buffalo’s O-line wasn’t just “fine” in pass protection last year; it was one of the most efficient and consistent lines in the league.

 

So while they are indeed stronger in run blocking, calling them “bad at pass protection” simply doesn’t align with reality. It’s an emotional reaction, not a fact-based one.

 

Big picture:

Both the O-line and D-line were areas where Beane made deliberate, well constructed moves this offseason and before building the O-line. The offensive line has performed at a legitimately high level with these same five starters, and the defensive line had the pieces to be a true strength before injuries derailed it, especially with Hoecht flashing so much in his brief window.

 

as I qulaified, he O-line looks as it does only becuase of the skill and athleticism.  Watching the games, that is clearly why he takes as few sacks asn he does.

 

Hoecht's "flashes" are just as likely to have been simply that.  LA didn't miss him at all--in fact their D went from 17 in points allowed to #2 without him.

Edited 2 hours ago by Mr. WEO

[PromoTheRobot]

5 hours ago, Solomon Grundy said:

McDermott would never do this

 

Isn't McDermott the one who helped bring him here?

He practically hired Beane.

[Tanoros]

1 hour ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

as I qulaified, he O-line looks as it does only becuase of the skill and athleticism.  Watching the games, that is clearly why he takes as few sacks asn he does.

 

Hoecht's "flashes" are just as likely to have been simply that.  LA didn't miss him at all--in fact their D went from 17 in points allowed to #2 without him.

I’m going to be very direct here, because you’ve drifted the conversation away from objective information.

 

Pass block win rate has nothing to do with a quarterback’s mobility. The definition is clear: it measures whether the lineman sustains his block for 2.5 seconds. Josh Allen escaping a sack does not change that metric. So the ongoing argument that “Allen makes the O-line look better than it is” simply doesn’t apply to PBWR.

 

In 2024, with the same five starters we have now, the Bills ranked among the best pass-blocking units in the league according to ESPN’s PBWR and SI’s grading. That isn’t opinion; that’s league-wide data.

 

Regarding Hoecht, the point isn’t that 64 snaps guarantee elite production. It’s that those snaps showed real disruption, power, and motor, which are exactly the traits the Bills have lacked on the edge. When you combine that with Oliver’s hot start and Bosa’s talent, it’s reasonable to believe the defensive front would have improved. That’s a roster-based evaluation, not an emotional one.

 

As for the claim that “the Rams defense got better without Hoecht,” that doesn’t really prove anything. Hoecht wasn’t a full-time starter there, and a defense improving or regressing year to year has far more to do with scheme changes, coaching shifts, draft picks, and overall depth than any single rotational defensive lineman. One player does not define a defense, especially one who wasn’t in a primary role.

 

At this point, the difference between our perspectives is simple. I’m basing my view on data such as PBWR, and the actual construction of the defensive front. Your response is based on subjective impressions and assumptions. We can disagree, but it’s important to acknowledge which arguments come from measurable facts and which come from emotion.

 

BTW: Take a look at this thread for info on the O-line this year: 

 

Edited 56 minutes ago by Tanoros

[Mr. WEO]

9 minutes ago, Tanoros said:

I’m going to be very direct here, because you’ve drifted the conversation away from objective information.

 

Pass block win rate has nothing to do with a quarterback’s mobility. The definition is clear: it measures whether the lineman sustains his block for 2.5 seconds. Josh Allen escaping a sack does not change that metric. So the ongoing argument that “Allen makes the O-line look better than it is” simply doesn’t apply to PBWR.

 

In 2024, with the same five starters we have now, the Bills ranked among the best pass-blocking units in the league according to ESPN’s PBWR and SI’s grading. That isn’t opinion; that’s league-wide data.

 

Regarding Hoecht, the point isn’t that 64 snaps guarantee elite production. It’s that those snaps showed real disruption, power, and motor, which are exactly the traits the Bills have lacked on the edge. When you combine that with Oliver’s hot start and Bosa’s talent, it’s reasonable to believe the defensive front would have improved. That’s a roster-based evaluation, not an emotional one.

 

As for the claim that “the Rams defense got better without Hoecht,” that doesn’t really prove anything. Hoecht wasn’t a full-time starter there, and a defense improving or regressing year to year has far more to do with scheme changes, coaching shifts, draft picks, and overall depth than any single rotational defensive lineman. One player does not define a defense, especially one who wasn’t in a primary role.

 

At this point, the difference between our perspectives is simple. I’m basing my view on data such as PBWR, and the actual construction of the defensive front. Your response is based on subjective impressions and assumptions. We can disagree, but it’s important to acknowledge which arguments come from measurable facts and which come from emotion.

 

Exactly.  Why hypothesize otherwise?

 

The results are that, after 12 games, Allen has already been sacked twice as many times as last season and will easily ecclipse his # of scrambles (already at 38 compared to 42 last season) and pressure %