According to league sources, cornerback Cameron Sutton is joining the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year veteran minimum contract. Before agreeing to a contract with the Detroit Lions in 2023, Sutton spent the first six seasons of his career playing in Pittsburgh.
Last season, Sutton started every one of the Lions’ 17 games and recorded 65 tackles, a forced fumble, an interception, and six passes defensed. Before the 2018 season began, the cornerback agreed to a three-year, $33 million contract with Detroit.
This offseason, he was freed following the issuance of an arrest warrant for Sutton on charges of domestic violence by strangulation in relation to an alleged incident on March 7. Eleven days following the issuance of the arrest warrant, Sutton turned himself in to the authorities.
Sutton’s lawyer, Todd Foster, provided a statement to The Athletic in which he said:“On March 31, 2024, Mr. Cameron Sutton voluntarily turned himself into the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. On April 1, 2024, he was released on his own recognizance. After completing an investigation into this matter, the Office of the State Attorney has elected to file a single misdemeanor. Both Mr. Sutton and the mother of his children request privacy in this matter, as they view this as a family matter and wish to resolve it as a family.”
The one and only season Sutton spent with the Lions was not easy. During the regular season, he gave up 889 yards and five touchdowns, including a quarterback rating of 113.9 when targeted. Sutton gave up 284 yards, three touchdowns, a 70.8 percent completion percentage, and a 150.0 quarterback rating in three postseason games when targeted.
Why the Steelers signed Sutton
The Steelers were in dire need of a slot cornerback and also a veteran who could play multiple positions in the secondary and got that on the cheap when they brought back Sutton on a team-friendly deal. Sutton will instantly be inserted into the slot position where he excelled for years with the Steelers.
Sutton is also adaptable enough to substitute for starters Donte Jackson or Joey Porter Jr. by going outside. Following his incarceration, Sutton met with the Steelers a few months ago, and the team felt confident enough in him to take on his legal challenges. — Steelers beat writer Mark Kaboly
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