Dave Birkett | Detroit Free Press

Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press

The start of the 2020 NFL league year came and went at 4 p.m. Wednesday, and Darius Slay is still a Detroit Lion.

Slay has been the subject of trade rumors since October, but Lions general manager Bob Quinn and coach Matt Patricia said at the combine in late February they were in no rush to deal the three-time Pro Bowler.

"What we’re trying to do is we’re trying to explore a trade," Quinn said at the combine. "We’re very much in the information-gathering phase of this and those conversations from here on out will be private between us, the teams and the representatives for Darius, and Darius himself. That’s kind of where it’s at."

Kimberly P. Mitchell, Detroit Free Press

The Lions, who are believed to be looking for a Day 2 draft pick for Slay, encountered a slow-moving cornerback market this week and didn't sign a potential replacement at the position until agreeing to terms with Desmond Trufant late Wednesday.

Slay has one year left on the contract extension he signed in 2016, but his departure has been widely expected after he and the team spent much of the past year at odds.

Slay sat out voluntary workouts and mandatory minicamp last spring in a contractual dispute that was never resolved; his fun-loving personality never meshed with third-year Lions coach Matt Patricia, who abhorred his practice of signing and exchanging jerseys after every game, win or loss; and he didn’t hide his displeasure when the Lions traded his good friend Quandre Diggs to the Seattle Seahawks in the fall.

A second-round pick out of Mississippi State in 2013, Slay has indicated he wants a new deal that will make him among the highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL, whether it's from the Lions or another team.

Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports

That's believed to be a sticking point for some teams interested in acquiring Slay, with one potential suitor, the Denver Broncos, already moving on by trading for the Jacksonville Jaguars' A.J. Bouye.

The Lions have enough cap room to keep Slay and force him to play out the final year of his deal, or hope their asking price is met by a cornerback-needy team like the Las Vegas Raiders or Philadelphia Eagles before April's draft.

Slay leads the NFL in passes defensed the past seven seasons and he often has been tasked with shadowing the opponent's No. 1 receiver. Last season, he tied for the team lead with two interceptions and 13 passes defensed despite missing two games and leaving two others with a hamstring injury.

Jason DeCrow, AP

Regardless, the Lions will consider Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah among a slew of blue-chip defensive players (and perhaps Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa) with the No. 3 pick in the draft.

Both Okudah and Slay, who struck up a relationship on social media, have said they'd like to play together in the NFL, and Slay said at the Super Bowl that he still hopes to retire a Lion.

“If they give me the contract, I’ll be blessed and fortunate enough for it,” he said. “Like I say, I always wanted to retire as a Detroit Lion. But if it don’t happen, it’s cool. I’ll be all right. Like I said, if I don’t, somebody will be getting a great player.”