It took less than three hours into the legal tampering period of free agency for the Pittsburgh Steelers to lose its top free agent. Cornerback Cameron Sutton is signing a three-year, $33 million contract with the Detroit Lions. Here are our takeaways from a move we hoped wouldn’t happen.
Cornerback becomes the team's top offseason need
No matter what else happens at any other position, finding an adequate replacement for Sutton has to be job one for the Steelers. This doesn’t automatically mean spending a high draft pick since the Steelers aren’t prone to do it but it could be simply scooping up a veteran to pair up with Levi Wallace and Arthur Maulet.
A promotion for Arthur Maulet?
Last season, Arthur Maulet stepped up as the team’s top slot cornerback and did a good job. The loss of Sutton could be a sign Pittsburgh is confident in Maulet taking on a larger role on defense.
Bring back William Jackson III?
The Steelers released William Jackson III to provide some cap relief but there’s nothing that says the Steelers can’t bring him back. They obviously saw something in him to make a trade so if he’s healthy, he could return.
Ahkello Witherspoon back as a starter
In 2021, Ahekello Witherspoon led the Steelers with three interceptions in just nine games (three starts). He missed all but four games last season with an injury but is still under contract. Similar to Jackson, if the team thinks he’s back to 2021 form, could plug back in as a starter.
