Carving out some late headline space on Day 3 of the draft, veteran slot cornerback Chandon Sullivan is signing with the Steelers. The former Packers and Vikings defender’s agency announced the move Saturday afternoon.
After four Green Bay seasons, Sullivan spent 2022 in Minnesota. He will join a Steelers team that lost Cameron Sutton but has added Patrick Peterson and Joey Porter Jr.
Sullivan, 27, came to Minneapolis to replace Mackensie Alexander in the slot last year. Pro Football Focus did not view the veteran as being especially reliable for the Vikings, who have revamped their defense after a one-and-done Ed Donatell season. PFF rated Sullivan just inside the top 100 at corner last year, though the five-year vet gave up only one touchdown during his Vikings slate.
The former Eagles UDFA, however, has extensive experience patrolling the slot and has never missed a game due to injury. Prior to playing a career-most 945 defensive snaps last season, Sullivan surpassed 700 defensive plays in his final two Packers seasons. The 5-foot-11 defender ranked among the top five slot corners in snaps per target and snaps per reception in his Packers finale, intercepting three passes. But he has been unable to score a notable payday since hitting free agency initially in 2022. Sullivan played on a one-year, $1.75MM deal last season.
In addition to Peterson and Porter, the Steelers have Levi Wallace, Ahkello Witherspoon, James Pierre and Arthur Maulet under contract. Maulet logged the most snaps of any Steeler in the slot last season; PFF ranked Maulet just ahead of Sullivan at corner, slotting him 90th. The team has seen its top corners depart in each of the past two offseasons, losing Joe Haden (eventually to retirement) in 2022 and letting Sutton join the Lions this year.
Apologies to Sam Robinson and Trade Rumors. Thought they missed this signing. Very happy with the Steelers free agent signings and draft, and this one is no different.