Philadelphia Eagles Darius Slay has his eyes on one particular milestone ahead of a Week 2 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons on “Monday Night Football.”
On Friday, the six-time Pro Bowler discussed reaching 30 career interceptions, a mark he’s only two away from achieving.
“I’m trying to get over the 30,” Slay said via NBC Sports Philadelphia. “You get into that 30 club, you special.”
Even though 200 players in NFL history have recorded 30 interceptions or more over their careers, Slay told reporters that reaching the number was a “personal goal.” Accomplishing the feat would help solidify the 33-year-old’s place as one of the best cornerbacks of the last few decades.
Since Slay joined the league in 2013, only two cornerbacks have more interceptions — Marcus Peters (30) and Xavien Howard (29), per Stathead. If the veteran corner can notch two more picks before Jan. 1, he’ll become only the 16th cornerback since 2000 to reach 30 interceptions before turning 34 years old.
Slay has a decent chance at reaching the mark Monday against Falcons QB Kirk Cousins, who has thrown the fourth-most interceptions (112) among active quarterbacks since 2012 and is coming off a two-pick game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1. Furthermore, the Eagles’ standout cornerback has three career interceptions against the Falcons signal-caller over seven meetings, including two in one game during a 24-7 Philadelphia victory over the Minnesota Vikings in 2022.
The 12-year veteran said he didn’t want to “jinx” himself but sounded confident ahead of Monday’s matchup. When asked how many times he’s picked off Cousins, Slay knew the number, adding, “I hope he makes it five.”
