Cameron Sutton picked the right time to prove he has the potential to be a starting NFL cornerback. After showing flashes in his second and third seasons, Sutton was able to start 7 games in 2020 due to injuries and Covid absences and looked very much at home, whether it was in the slot or on the outside.
That left Sutton in a nice spot going into the off-season – and into free agency. But if there was a market for Sutton he only explored it for a minute.
“I definitely did (see what was out there),” Sutton says.
“It wasn’t a hard process on the best fit and the best opportunity. Once I went through all situations, it was about the best fit and the best opportunity.”
It turns out Sutton felt that best fit was to stay right here in Pittsburgh. “It wasn’t a difficult decision,” he explains, even though the money – 9 million dollars over 2 seasons – wasn’t substantial, certainly not by NFL cornerback standards.
“Family time definitely helped with the decision,” says Sutton, who obviously considers the Steelers family. But some of his brothers have left the nest. Bud Dupree and Mike Hilton left as free agents. Steven Nelson and Vince Williams were released.
“I’ve had relationships with those guys even before Pittsburgh,” Sutton says, pointing out that Nelson and Dupree are also from the Atlanta area and the Tennessee alum played against Dupree and Mike Hilton in the SEC. Sutton will miss them yet the departures of Hilton and Nelson basically guarantee Sutton a starting job.
The key now is for others to take advantage of the trickledown effect. “Those guys departing and embarking on their journey creates opportunities for guys in our building,” says Sutton who know it’s now up to Justin Layne and James Pierre will uphold the next man up standard.
“That’s just our mantra and how close we are,” Sutton says.
“That’s guys stepping into opportunity and making the most of it, making it really count. Just going forward for those guys. Going into the season they’re going to have a chance to come in and battle and compete, keep their heads down and put out good product.”
Sutton also knows that even though he is now a presumptive starter he still has to compete. “Nothing is given to anybody,” he agrees. “No one’s position is given or granted in this league. I know what I can be and want to be and I’m looking forward to giving to this organization and this city.”
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