Breaking News: Steelers new signing Cameron Sutton will be out of play for six month due to…
The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing free agent cornerback Cameron Sutton, per Ari Meirov, only two months after he was arrested for domestic battery.
Sutton was drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, and spent six seasons there, before signing a three-year, $33 million contract with the Detroit Lions ahead of the 2023 season.
The 29-year-old played 17 games for the Lions last year, but was released this March after the police issued an arrest warrant for Sutton for domestic battery. He allegedly battered a woman in Florida on March 7, before evading the police for more than three weeks.
He turned himself in on March 31, and has now entered a pretrial diversion program to resolve the case. Per the program, Sutton is not allowed to own firearms, has to undergo a mental health evaluation, is subject to a probationary period and isn’t allowed contact with the victim.
Sutton may still face punishment from the NFL for breaking their code of conduct, and it’s unclear how much of this season he’ll be able to play.
Despite the talent at their disposal, the Steelers defense underperformed somewhat last season, allowing the 21st-most yards per game, although they did allow the sixth-fewest points per game.
Star defensive lineman Cameron Heyward was frequently injured, expensive free agent addition Larry Ogunjobi disappointed, and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick missed nearly half the season.
There were several bright spots, including the emergence of rookie Joey Porter Jr., who developed into a true number one cornerback in his first season. T.J. Watt was typically excellent, leading the league in sacks with 19, and finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
It was still not good enough for the most expensive defense in the NFL, and there needs to be a marked improvement this season. The offseason additions of cornerback Donte Jackson, safety DeShon Elliott, and All-Pro linebacker Patrick Queen should help, as well as rookie linebacker Payton Wilson.
The Steelers are now set at cornerback with Jackson and Porter Jr., but badly needed a veteran presence behind them, which Sutton should provide.
He was a capable starter at nickel cornerback in his last two seasons for the Steelers, but struggled starting on the outside for the Lions. His PFF grade went from 71.6 in 2022 when he was top 10 in completion percentage against (47.9), to 56 in 2023, and the Steelers will hope that he can rediscover the form he had previously shown in the Steel City.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed former Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton on a one-year deal.
The 29-year-old was released by the Lions in March, a day after police in Florida said they were searching for him following domestic violence allegations.
Sutton entered a pretrial diversion programme in April after handing himself into police and his charges were reduced to misdemeanour battery.
He rejoins the Steelers, who selected him in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft.
Sutton played for Pittsburgh between 2017 and 2022, before he joined the Lions on a three-year deal worth $33m (£25.8m).
He started all 17 regular-season games with the Lions last season, completing 65 tackles, an interception, one forced fumble and defended six passes, and three play-off games.