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Darius Slay criticizes Lions for letting Carlton Davis leave

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 7, 2026, 3:12 PM

Last updated Oct 7, 2026

Darius Slay criticizes Lions for letting Carlton Davis leave

Summary

After the Detroit Lions' secondary struggled in a recent game against the Carolina Panthers, former Lions cornerback Darius Slay expressed strong opinions on the team's defense. Slay stated that the decision to allow Carlton Davis to depart in free agency was a critical error, noting that Davis's skill set fit the team's defensive scheme. He also raised concerns about the current disconnect in the Lions' defensive approach, emphasizing that the coaching staff needs to adjust their strategy to better utilize available talent. With the Lions' secondary underperforming, changes may be necessary to improve their defensive performance this season.

Source Links

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Key Details

•Darius Slay believes Lions misstep was letting Carlton Davis go.
•Slay claims Davis would fit Lions' defensive scheme perfectly.
•Lions defense has struggled with recent performances, against Panthers.
•Slay calls for coaching adjustments to match players' strengths.
•Detroit is four games into the season without clear defensive cohesion.

Latest Updates

3:12 PMYahoo Sports — Darius Slay Weighs in on Brad Holmes’ Biggest Mistake

What they're saying

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Former Lions star Darius Slay says Detroit made a major mistake letting Carlton Davis leave and questions whether the current secondary fits its scheme.
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Carolina Panthers Detroit Lions NFL Football