Mike Tomlin Puts Steelers Secondary on Alert with Cameron Sutton’s Return
Pittsburgh Steelers insiders and fans are speculating that veteran cornerback Cameron Sutton will replace Beanie Bishop Jr. at nickel corner for the team. Sutton, returning from an eight-game suspension, is set to make his 2024 season debut in Week 10.
However, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has hinted at a different approach. In a recent press conference, Tomlin emphasized that Sutton could impact the playing time of any defensive back in Pittsburgh’s secondary.
“That’s to be determined,” Tomlin remarked on November 5 when asked about Sutton’s role. “But I think that’s one of the things that makes Cam so interesting and valuable to us. He’s a utility back. His football intellect and physical capabilities are such that he can play anywhere, and he has.”
Tomlin also addressed rumors about Sutton and Bishop’s dynamic: “I know there’s been a lot of speculation, to be quite honest with you, about how him and Beanie [Bishop] might function. It’s really two separate discussions. Cam is capable of playing anywhere in the secondary.”
“If people need to be concerned about reps or division of labor, I would advise everybody in the secondary to be on notice because Cam is that versatile.”
Steelers’ Mike Tomlin Touts Sutton’s Versatility
It’s rare for a free-agent signing to make an immediate impact midseason, but Sutton’s return feels more like a veteran recovering from an injury. Sutton previously spent six seasons with the Steelers, playing his last game for Pittsburgh in Week 18 of 2022 under current defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. Austin also coached Sutton from 2019-21 as Pittsburgh’s secondary coach.
The Steelers re-signed Sutton this offseason despite legal issues, knowing exactly how they wanted to deploy him. Based on his history with Pittsburgh, he’s expected to play various roles.
“His last year for us, he was an outside corner, he was a nickel, he was a dime,” Tomlin explained to reporters. “He was capable of playing safety at times and allow Minkah [Fitzpatrick] to move around and come down and do other things. That versatility, that utility component is a major attraction to us.”
In 2022, Sutton primarily lined up as a wide corner but also took at least 75 snaps in the slot and at safety. From 2020-22, he logged at least 185 snaps at nickel corner each season, which has led many analysts to believe Sutton will replace Bishop in the slot. Bishop, however, has recently shown his capabilities, recording three interceptions over the last two games.
Sutton may reduce Bishop’s snap count, but both could also be deployed on the field simultaneously, with Bishop at nickel and Sutton in a different role.
Sutton Returns from Eight-Game Suspension
Sutton’s return promises to strengthen the Steelers secondary, but it also draws attention to why Pittsburgh was able to re-sign him this offseason. The Detroit Lions released Sutton on March 21 after a warrant was issued for his arrest by the Hillsborough County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office on suspicion of domestic violence, a year after signing him to a three-year, $33 million contract.
ESPN’s Brooke Pryor reported Sutton was formally charged with misdemeanor battery. While it’s unclear when the Steelers initiated discussions with Sutton, Tomlin deflected questions about the matter at the NFL league meetings in March, saying, “That’s none of your business.”
Sutton said he had spoken with the Steelers throughout the offseason. He entered a pretrial diversion program in April, and the Steelers signed him on June 5, likely anticipating a suspension.
Originally drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft, Sutton has accumulated 233 combined tackles, including 12 tackles for loss, along with 44 pass defenses, nine interceptions, and two sacks in 101 NFL games.
