Report: Broncos tried to trade for Lions CB Darius Slay in 2019

Broncos GM John Elway tried to trade for Lions cornerback Darius Slay before the 2019 trade deadline. Denver might try again this spring.

Before the 2019 NFL trade deadline, the Denver Broncos were in talks with the Detroit Lions about a potential trade for cornerback Darius Slay, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Denver was willing to part with cornerback Chris Harris Jr. in the trade but Detroit also wanted a high draft pick, according to Klis. The two teams weren’t able to reach an agreement and Harris and Slay finished the 2019 season with the Broncos and Lions, respectively.

Slay is back on the trade block now and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Denver make another offer. The Lions “have spoken with multiple teams” about a potential Slay trade this offseason, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Slay’s potential new team will have to give him a new contract, ESPN reports.

Slay (6-0, 190 pounds) entered the league as a second-round pick out of Mississippi State in the 2013 NFL draft. The 29-year-old cornerback has made the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons and he led the league with eight interceptions in 2017.

Considered one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, Slay is scheduled to earn a base salary of $10 million in 2020 before becoming a free agent next spring, according to Spotrac.com. If traded to a new team, Slay will expect to receive a contract extension as part of the deal.

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