PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It's a somewhat low-key battle that could have more impacts that realized with the Steelers defense. Going into the final preseason game on Thursday, it's unknown who the starting slot cornerback will be.
A couple of who have excelled at the position are gone-Cam Sutton signed for big money with the Lions the year after Mike Hilton did the same with the Bengals. Returning are Elijah Riley with limited NFL experience and Chandon Sullivan-five years in the league, but only three splash plays in 17 games in 2022 (fumble recovery, two tackles for loss)
"It's been tight," said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin Tuesday. "Both guys have been above the line. Both guys have made splash plays. And so, we'll continue to rotate them in this last opportunity."
"I think those guys are both making a case that they belong," said Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. "They've each made some plays. They've each shown improvement which is what I'm really looking for. And they've each showed improvement from game one to game two."
"And so, we'll see how it plays out here. I think it's still a tight competition that's going to go down to the wire and we'll see how that shakes out after these three games."
"It's competition everywhere," Sullivan said. "I push myself to be the best version of myself. I know that's a really good football player."
"At the end of the day, we are all teammates," Riley said. "It's football. It's a team game. Regardless of the situation we are able to share and learn from each other and continue to grow competitively."
Each has played in the league. Each can play special teams. Each had an interception in the last preseason game.
"It's still preseason, it doesn't mean too much," Sullivan said. "I try to make plays like that in practice and have had interceptions in games before. That's the type of play I expect from myself."
Sullivan has by far the more experience of the two. The 27-year-old has played in 71 games over five NFL seasons with three teams. He had career-high three interceptions in 17 games with Green Bay in 2021. Last year he played in 17 games (10 starts) with Minnesota with a career-high seven passes defended and 60 tackles (nearly doubling his previous high). However, that Minnesota defense allowed a NFC-worst 4,515 passing yards and were middle of the pack in defensive touchdowns allowed and completion percentage.
Pro Football Focus ranked Sullivan with one of the worst coverage grades as a cornerback last year, but did ranked him 26th in pass rush and middle of the pack as a run stuffer. Sullivan said he's versatile and will do whatever and carries the chip of being passed over in the draft.
"I'm an undrafted guy, everything is an opportunity," Sullivan said. "Anytime I get to step on the field, I get to show the world what I can do. Whether that's special teams, defense. It doesn't matter. I still feel that way. That feeling never goes away. That's what keeps me pushing and not being complacent. There is always room to improve and areas of my game I'm looking forward to proving people wrong about."
Riley was also undrafted out of Army, has played only 17 games (7 starts with the Jets in 2021), including four with the Steelers last season. He didn't have enough snaps to qualify for PFF grades, is a converted safety, but also played corner in college. Along with the interception against the Bills, he's had a few in practice.
Riley said he has different skillsets than Sullivan, calling Sullivan a better coverage guy but Riley says he will stick it up in there, run downhill and make a big tackle.
There may be a world soon where neither would be on the field. The Steelers have worked Patrick Peterson at slot this camp, along very limited action in preseason games. They assume Peterson would play well there, but the other component is second-round pick Joey Porter, Junior being able to start and play a lot of reps at corner.
If they want Peterson eventually in the slot, how could they afford to keep both roster spots at a position neither could potentially play? Can either player prove they can be useful on special teams alone?
It's a complex decision upcoming for the coaches as Riley and Sullivan just do what they can to try and prove their value and potential impact with this team.
"I'm going to go out and put my best foot forward," Riley said. "I want to show them that I'm consistent, disciplined and diligent in my work ethic. Beyond that, I'm not trying to do anything out of my cylinder to prove myself in any sort of way. I'm here to get best and better every single day I'm here."
Another reason to watch on KDKA-TV Thursday night.
