Darius Slay and Darnell Washington: From Heated Rivals to Steelers Teammates
NFL rivalries are often intense, sometimes even turning physical. Fans still remember past clashes like Andre Johnson vs. Cortland Finnegan or Aqib Talib ripping Michael Crabtree’s chain. These moments define the competitive fire of the league. Now, a new chapter is unfolding between Darius Slay and Darnell Washington, who had a heated moment during a game but are now teammates with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The question is: how do fierce rivals adjust to working together?
The Heated Encounter: Washington vs. Slay
During a matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15, tensions boiled over when Steelers tight end Darnell Washington aggressively blocked Eagles cornerback Darius Slay. Washington, who stands 6’7″ and nearly 270 pounds, used his size and strength to drive Slay far down the field, almost into the stands. The play was so dominant that Tom Brady even commented on it, saying, “Washington put him on skates.”
The block led to an on-field scuffle, with players from both teams stepping in. Slay, clearly frustrated, spoke about the situation after the game, emphasizing the size mismatch and questioning why Washington targeted him instead of a larger defender. “He came out here trying to dog me into the back of the end zone… I don’t get down like that,” Slay remarked.
Washington later admitted that he heard the whistle but chose to keep blocking, anticipating Slay’s reaction. “I heard the whistle… but I felt him… I knew he was gonna swing,” Washington recalled. His instincts kicked in, which resulted in penalties for Pittsburgh.
A Surprising Turn: Now They’re Teammates
Despite their heated history, the Steelers signed Darius Slay in free agency, bringing him over from the Eagles. That means Slay and Washington now share the same locker room, moving from opponents to teammates. The transition from rivalry to partnership is always a challenge, but both players will need to put the past behind them for the Steelers to succeed in 2025.
Washington, known for his physical play, reflected on the incident with humor. “You’re a grown man, and another grown man is like… you know, you can’t really do nothing in that situation. So, I was just like… blindside. Took him all the way to the stands or whatever, to the bus or whatever,” he joked.
Washington’s Take on the Rivalry
On the Zach’s Tech Turf podcast, Washington explained his approach to past on-field conflicts:
“I don’t really hold grudges or things like that. What I do on the field is totally what I do differently off the field. I’m a good dude.”
Even though their battle was intense, Washington insisted that he doesn’t let on-field moments carry over into personal relationships. However, he admitted that he still hasn’t spoken to Slay about it yet.
“I have not. I have not. Kind of waiting to see how that’s gonna be,” he said, laughing.
Still, Washington is confident that the two can move forward and work toward a successful season with the Steelers.
Can They Work Together?
As both players now wear the black and gold, their ability to put this past rivalry aside will be key to the Steelers’ success. Washington has stated he harbors no hard feelings, and Slay, being a veteran, is expected to handle the situation professionally. If they can channel their competitive energy into making each other better, this unlikely duo could become a major asset for Pittsburgh.
NFL history has seen many instances of rivals becoming teammates. Some struggle to adjust, while others embrace the challenge and thrive. With both Slay and Washington focusing on the bigger picture—winning games—their past conflict may soon be nothing more than a footnote in their careers.
Now, the question remains: Can they bury the hatchet and help lead the Steelers to victory in 2025?