Steelers Make Bold Move, Sit Veteran Corner Darius Slay Ahead of Bills Game

The Pittsburgh Steelers are shaking up their secondary ahead of their Week 13 clash with the Buffalo Bills, making a surprising decision to sideline veteran cornerback Darius Slay. The move, confirmed by NFL insider Ian Rapoport on gameday morning, marks only the second game Slay has missed this season, the first due to injury.

Slay has been a regular starter for the Steelers, appearing in nine of 10 games and recording 36 tackles, three pass breakups, one fumble recovery, and no interceptions. However, his performance has drawn scrutiny, with Pro Football Focus noting a 126.7 passer rating allowed across 329 coverage snaps, highlighting struggles in a secondary that has otherwise been inconsistent.

The decision reflects Pittsburgh’s desire to explore alternatives and inject new energy into the defense. By making a high-profile veteran a healthy scratch, the team signals that performance and matchups are driving personnel choices, particularly as they face a high-powered Bills offense.

With the change comes uncertainty. The Steelers’ starting lineup opposite Joey Porter Jr. and in the slot has been in flux, and the absence of Slay leaves room for younger or newly promoted players to step into a pivotal role in the defensive backfield.

1. Slay’s Struggles and Demotion

Darius Slay entered the season as a key part of Pittsburgh’s secondary, starting nine games and bringing veteran experience to a unit in transition. Despite his pedigree, Slay has been targeted frequently, allowing big completions and struggling to generate turnovers. His coverage has been a focal point of criticism, with a 126.7 passer rating allowed signaling that quarterbacks have had significant success when throwing his way. The Steelers’ coaching staff likely weighed these struggles against his experience and leadership when making the difficult decision. Slay’s demotion comes after a season in which he has largely failed to make an impact in critical moments. Without interceptions and with limited pass breakups, the veteran corner has not matched the expectations that accompanied his signing. The healthy scratch also sends a message to the roster: performance and accountability matter, regardless of tenure. Slay’s absence creates both a void and an opportunity in a secondary that has sought consistency all season.

2. Asante Samuel Jr. Steps Up

The move coincides with the promotion of Asante Samuel Jr. from the practice squad, giving Pittsburgh a fresh option at cornerback. Samuel, who spent his first four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, has yet to appear in a 2025 game but carries 47 career starts and a reputation as a top-tier cornerback available in free agency. Pittsburgh signed Samuel to the practice squad in early November, and his elevation signals confidence from the coaching staff in his ability to contribute immediately. Samuel’s skill set—combining speed, coverage instincts, and ball skills—offers the Steelers a potential upgrade opposite Joey Porter Jr. The young corner’s debut will be closely watched, as the Bills present one of the league’s more dynamic passing attacks. Samuel’s performance could set the tone for Pittsburgh’s secondary rotation moving forward. While Samuel is the primary candidate to replace Slay, the team could also look to veteran James Pierre to fill the gap, depending on matchups and defensive scheme.

3. Implications for Steelers’ Secondary

Slay’s absence leaves Pittsburgh with questions about how to structure its defensive backfield against Buffalo. The usual alignment—Slay opposite Porter Jr. with Brandin Echols in the slot—will need adjustment, potentially testing the chemistry of a secondary already adjusting to changes. Coaches will need to determine how to balance experience with emerging talent, particularly in high-leverage situations against Josh Allen and a versatile Bills receiving corps. Any missteps could be costly in a game with playoff implications. The decision also highlights the Steelers’ willingness to make bold personnel moves midseason. By prioritizing performance over reputation, Pittsburgh is signaling that accountability is central to its defensive philosophy. Ultimately, how Samuel, Pierre, or other defensive backs perform in Slay’s absence will have implications beyond Week 13, shaping the secondary’s composition for the rest of the season.