The Lions have opened up contract negotiations with Darius Slay, according to ESPN, although that doesn’t mean we’re any close to a resolution on the Pro Bowl cornerback’s future in Detroit.

Slay was on the trade block last season -- Detroit talked to Denver in particular, although those talks never grew serious -- and could find himself back on the block if a new deal can’t be reached.

“The expectation exists that (Slay) could re-enter the trade market if no deal is reached in (the) coming weeks,” ESPN reports. “Both sides have been at this for a while, still no deal.”

Slay already held out last offseason for a new deal, but was forced to report to training camp without one. Now that he’s entering the final year of that deal, he almost certainly will need a new contract to play in Detroit. Asked about that directly by MLive at the Super Bowl, Slay demurred.

“Of course I want an extension," Slay said, "but how that turns out, we’ll see.”

Related: Darius Slay would love to be paired with prized Ohio State cornerback prospect Jeff Okudah

Slay is worth locking up based on his talent, there’s no question about that. He’s become one of the best cover men in the game, and Detroit’s best, most consistent defensive player. His performance slipped a bit in 2019 -- playing behind perhaps the worst pass rush in the league certainly factored into that -- but he was still respected enough by other players to be voted into the Pro Bowl for a third straight year.

Considering the Lions just gave up the most passing yards in the league, and the second-most total yards in franchise history, they can’t afford to now lose their top cover man.

Problem is, Slay isn’t exactly the culture fit around which Matt Patricia is trying to build his team. He’s been outspoken, especially on the Quandre Diggs trade, which he called “bull(expletive)." That angered some in the franchise, and then Slay later doubled down on it publicly.

This administration has shown such players the door, including Diggs.

Yet Slay is so good, the Lions can’t really afford to lose him heading into a year where ownership has already issued a win-now mandate for this regime. But if he returns, he probably needs a new deal before he’ll join the team. And just how much money will Detroit be willing to give an outspoken cornerback who will turn 30 before playing a single down of an extension?

“If they give me a contract, I’ll be blessed and fortunate for it,” Slay 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. If I don’t, someone will be getting a great player.”