Before Dan Campbell’s Detroit Lions became a powerhouse, they had to contend with the disastrous Matt Patricia era. After former Lions cornerback Darius Slay escaped to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020, it’s a time he might have to relive now.
On Thursday, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni revealed that Patricia would be hired to Philadelphia’s defensive staff. Given that Slay had well-documented criticisms of Patricia’s conduct during his tenure with the Lions, the star CB was someone Sirianni ran the addition by first.
Apparently, Slay is OK with it! He had a polite and professional response about looking forward to a “great working relationship” with his former head coach. Hmm. That just screams excitement, doesn’t it?
Nick Sirianni said he did speak to Darius Slay about the Matt Patricia hiring to make sure everyone is comfortable with it.
"I know it will be a great working relationship." https://t.co/gEXPcHvfDM
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 20, 2023
It’s been years since Slay and Patricia actually collaborated together, so it’s possible there’s no longer any underlying beef here. Time heals all wounds, you know?
By that same token, Slay and Patricia, again, haven’t collaborated together in years. Who’s to say Slay ever buried the hatchet? Who’s to say Patricia ever reached out?
NFL fans had many jokes on Twitter about Slay’s past aversiveness to Patricia after he joined the Eagles. Suffice it to say: Not many bought his cordial endorsement of their new dynamic.