Darius Slayton laughs off Patrick Peterson’s criticism of Daniel Jones

Slayton is a long-time Jones supporter and says his rapport with the quarterback is better than anyone else he’s played with. He believes that DJ’s issues are the result of turmoil and turnover.

“I think the biggest thing that people probably don’t know or don’t take into account is the amount of turmoil that’s existed since our careers (began) there. This is going on our sixth year there (and) we’re on our third full staff,” Slayton said. “So third full GM, third head coach, fourth offensive coordinator…

“If you look across the NFL at the teams that win consistently, they don’t have this much turnover. And there’s a reason for that.”

Slayton added that the constant changing of scheme, playbook, and language makes it difficult for all players, especially the quarterbacks.

Slayton likes what he’s seen from rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, who the Giants took sixth overall in the 2024 NFL draft.

“He’s looked good. Honestly, in my opinion, he reminds me of Ja’Marr Chase. He’s like a clone,” Slayton said.

When tight end Darren Waller announced his retirement earlier in the offseason, Slayton wasn’t caught off guard.

“To be honest, last year he was — you know how it is in the locker room,” Slayton said. “I used to always tease him, be like, ‘I need one more year, I need one more year.’ He used to be like, ‘Man, Slay, I don’t got it in me. I don’t know.’ So I kind of figured he was (done).”

Although Slayton was very careful with his words, he made it clear that Saquon Barkley signing with the Philadelphia Eagles was not a coincidence. There’s a reason Barkley chose Philly instead of his other suitors.

“Sometimes you leave a place and you want to see that place again but on the other side. And sometimes the best way to do that is being in the division where they’ve got to see you twice a year,” Slayton said. “Wanting to prove something to somebody probably played some part in him specifically ending up in Philly.”

Who is the best defensive back Slayton has ever played against?

“At the time I played him, my rookie year, it was Stephon Gilmore. That was the year he won Defensive Player of the Year. That was tough,” Slayton said. I actually had a pretty good game against him. . . but it was tough.”

Slayton said Gilmore excelled in the New England Patriots system and his football IQ made it an extremely difficult matchup.

In that game back in 2019, Slayton was targeted eight times, catching three passes for 32 yards.