Darius Slay questions one thing about the Dallas Cowboys after Dak Prescott spitting incident
The new NFL season’s opening night was marred just six seconds in when the Philadelphia Eagles’ DT Jalen Carter spat on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
It led former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay, who left in the offseason to join the Pittsburgh Steelers, to question whether something was not quite right in the Cowboys’ locker room.
Jalen Carter was issued a one-game suspension for his actions, which he has now effectively served, as he was ejected before any participation in the game.
It has essentially had no impact on the Eagles, who beat the Cowboys with some Jalen Hurts magic, and he now returns for the Super Bowl rematch with the Chiefs in Week Two.
Slay believes that if it had been Hurts who was spit on, the Eagles’ offensive line would have acted instantly, and he is wondering why the Dallas Cowboys linemen didn’t react like that.
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Darius Slay questions why Dallas Cowboys’ O-Linemen didn’t defend Dak Prescott
New Steelers cornerback Darius Slay joined Richard Sherman on his podcast to discuss the Jalen Carter spitting incident, being good friends with both involved.
Slay recalled his phone call with Carter after the game, asking about what went on, and after that, explained how he felt there was something wrong with the Cowboys’ O-linemen’s reaction to it.
Speaking on the Richard Sherman podcast, Slay said: “The fact that I’m really blowed about. I hope the Dallas Cowboys O-Line ain’t see that happening because boy I’m telling you right now…
“If somebody had spit on Hurts, man, [Jordan] Mailata, Lane [Johnson], and maybe the whole Philly stand would have come down, I’m just being real.
“I’ll just tell you that boys will play by hearts now.”
He added, “Dak is my dog. You know what I’m saying? [From] Mississippi State. You know, I want no conflict between them because both of them are good friends of mine.
“Boy, if I’m Dak now, I’m going to have to question my linemen. Like, wait, y’all ain’t getting no dinner from me, no nothing. Let’s say they didn’t see it, so I ain’t going to put words in their mouth. So they probably didn’t see it. I hope they didn’t.”
When reviewing the footage, it shows his linemen watching what was going on, and Slay responded: “Oh, na, he’s gotta talk to them.”
Dak Prescott’s offensive line only has two veterans on it, loyalty will grow
It is somewhat unsurprising that this unfolded this way. The Cowboys’ offensive line lost a lot of experience and reliable quality with the retirement of future Hall of Famer Zack Martin.
Dak Prescott will need more time to gel with a line that has one first-round rookie, RG Tyler Booker, who was Martin’s replacement, and two second-year players in center Cooper Beebe and LT Tyler Guyton.
Due to his season-ending hamstring injury in Week Nine, Prescott only played eight games with those two linemen, who were rookies at the time and arguably his most important protectors.
The only real familiar faces with whom he has been in the trenches are veterans RT Terence Steele and LG Tyler Smith.
It’ll take time, but during Dak Prescott’s impressive performance against the Eagles, the line stood tall for him after the incident.
What could an extension for Buccaneers' Zyon McCollum look like?
After finalizing a four-year, $90 million extension with right tackle Luke Goedeke, the Buccaneers may soon turn their focus to another emerging core player: cornerback Zyon McCollum.
Entering the final year of his rookie deal, McCollum is coming off a breakout 2024 season that firmly established him as a starter in Todd Bowles’ defense. Originally drafted in the fifth round in 2022 out of Sam Houston State, McCollum was viewed as a developmental prospect with elite athletic traits. Now, heading into 2025, he’s one of the most important pieces in Tampa Bay’s secondary. McCollum bloomed into a starter last season and delivered a career year. He posted 82 tackles, 17 pass deflections, and two interceptions while starting all 17 games, showing both growth in coverage technique and confidence in Bowles’ zone-heavy scheme.
What makes McCollum’s situation unique is his rare combination of size, athleticism, and production all at a premium position in a pass-heavy league.
At 6'2" with elite speed and movement skills, he fits the mold of today’s ideal No. 1 corner. He’s also just 25 years old and still improving. With another strong season, he could push into the top tier of the cornerback market. If that happens, McCollum could command a contract in the range of recent deals given to top corners, such as Jaire Alexander, Denzel Ward, and Trevon Diggs, all of whom earn north of $18 million annually.
A market-value extension could land somewhere between four and five years in length, totaling $72 to $90 million, with over half of that guaranteed.
While such a deal would represent a significant financial commitment, the Bucs have shown a willingness to invest in their core. With McCollum now looking like one of the best young corners in the NFC, extending him before he hits free agency could be both smart business and a statement of confidence in the lockdown-corner-in-the-making.
