The Steelers have traditionally linked up for extension talks with key players ahead of their contract years. They did not do so with Cameron Sutton, but the team is not giving up on retaining its top cornerback.
At his first Combine as Steelers GM, Omar Khan confirmed he has begun negotiations with Sutton, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic notes. Sutton played out a two-year, $9MM deal. The veteran defender also proved an exception to the organization’s traditional policy with homegrown free agents, having signed his second contract just before free agency kicked off in 2021.
Sutton now resides in a better position compared to his free agency two years ago. Despite being set for a third contract ahead of his seventh season, Sutton upped his profile during his 2022 platform year. The former third-round pick allowed just a 65.3 passer rating as the closest defender; that number placed him in the top 15 among corners. Sutton intercepted a career-high three passes and smashed his career-best total for passes defensed (15).
The Tennessee product has experience on the outside and in the slot and resides as one of the top corners available. Tampa Bay’s Jamel Dean may be the premier option on the market, and James Bradberry has a longer track record of success. Bradberry, however, will turn 30 this year. Sutton is going into his age-28 season. The Steelers will need to venture into eight-figure AAV territory to retain him this time, and that might be difficult now that free agency is near. Sutton said ahead last summer he expected to test the 2023 market. Even though no talks are believed to have taken place before last season, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac notes Sutton has remained a priority for Khan’s regime.
Pittsburgh rolled out an interesting corner corps last season. Sutton, Levi Wallace and Ahkello Witherspoon were each attached to contracts between $4MM and $5MM per year. Sutton proved to be the only reliable piece at the position. Witherspoon, who missed much of last season due to injury, and Wallace remain under contract. When Sutton last re-signed with Pittsburgh, the team still had Ben Roethlisberger‘s contract on its payroll. Kenny Pickett‘s rookie deal can now work as an advantage for the Steelers. It will be interesting to see if they devote a chunk of their free agency funds to retain the ascending cover man. As of Wednesday, Pittsburgh sits less than $100K over the cap. But the team has been big on restructures over the past several years.
The Steelers will retain exclusive negotiating rights with Sutton until March 13, when the legal tampering period begins. Official free agency starts two days later. Khan took care of two big-ticket extensions during his first offseason as GM — deals for Minkah Fitzpatrick and Diontae Johnson. Keeping Sutton off the market will be a challenge at this juncture, but the Steelers will try.
Jackson could renogitiate. Sutton plus these three and Pierre would allow Steelers to draft BPA in first vice CB.
The secondary is extremely suspect and this guy seems to benefit in that he’s competent back there, at best. Nothing special about his coverage ability or tackling. They have Minkah back there which is great, but Sutton looks better because guys like Witherspoon are just horrible
Maulet was a nice surprise last year but Pierre is a liability and Jackson will never play a down for the Steelers
Yeah, I’m sure he’ll get a nice payday but they let the better player go in Hilton