Cornerback Cameron Sutton spent the first six years of his career playing under Mike Tomlin on the Pittsburgh Steelers. After a brief hiatus, Tomlin is finally ready to welcome Sutton back to the Steelers.
Pittsburgh signed the cornerback to a one-year deal worth a little over $1 million this offseason. Tomlin has deep ties to Sutton as their connection has grown deep over the years. Ultimately it was that connection that landed Sutton back in Pittsburgh, the head coach said as minicamp opened, h/t Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk.
“There are not any conversations that we had recently, it's the totality of our relationship,” Tomlin said. “I met this guy in Knoxville, six, seven years ago, whatever it was, when he came out of school. He's a great guy. He loves football.”
“It's probably the totality of our relationship and I think I probably represent the sentiment of the organization and saying that it's less about specific conversations, particularly of late, and it's about the relationship established over a longer period of time,” Tomlin concluded.
Sutton will be coming to Pittsburgh with plenty of baggage. He was released from the Detroit Lions after being charged with one count of misdemeanor domestic battery in April. Sutton is accused of domestic strangulation, a third degree felony in Florida. If convicted, he could face up to five years in jail.
Following his release, no team in the league was poised to sign Sutton; at least until his legal proceedings played out. However, Tomlin looked back on his rapport with the cornerback. The Steelers as a franchise did their “due diligence” before signing Sutton. There are still question marks over whether Sutton will be suspended or jailed. The Steelers don't have their answers.
But Mike Tomlin has now stuck his neck out in support of Sutton. He has welcomed him back to the team. As the proceedings play out, Tomlin still believes Sutton has a place in the NFL. And he's glad that opportunity came with the Steelers.
What Cameron Sutton offers Steelers
Alongside his connection to Tomlin, the Steelers signed Sutton to bolster their secondary. In his one season with the Lions, the cornerback mustered up 65 tackles, six passes defended, a forced fumble and an interception while starting all 17 games.
Pittsburgh has a player to build around at cornerback in Joey Porter Jr. In his first season, Porter finished fifth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting by making 43 tackles, 10 passes defended and an interception. He will continue to be a difference maker in the secondary for years to come.
But even with Porter, Pittsburgh's cornerback situation needed a face lift. They were ranked as the No. 21 unit in the league at the position after the 2024 NFL Draft by ESPN's Mike Clay. They were also middle off the pack in 2023, as the Steelers ranked 16th in passing defense, allowing 227.1 yards per game.
He won't suddenly make Pittsburgh's secondary the best in the league, but Cameron Sutton is still a massive addition. The Steelers have their eyes set firmly on a Lombardi Trophy. Both his signing and when he steps on the field will be scrutinized. But Mike Tomlin has Sutton's back and thinks it only made sense to bring him back to the Steelers.
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