According to ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler, Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Mike Hilton is going to see what his value is on the open market and if Pittsburgh is willing to pay it. The Steelers placed an ERFA tender on Hilton which would pay him $645,000 in 2019 but Hilton isn’t planning to sign it.
Instead, Hilton and his representatives are going to try and work out a new contract with Pittsburgh to not only keep him with the Steelers beyond 2019 but also give him a nice raise in the process.
Because Hilton is an exclusive rights free agent his only real option is to stay with the Steelers, it just comes down to a price point. Hilton made $555,000 each of the last few seasons which feels low considering how well he played.
Hilton might be, if not the best slot cornerback in the league. He’s small but plays with tremendous physicality and speed. He’s fearless and will line up and cover anyone. Last season as a slot corner, Hilton was ranked No. 44 in the league by Pro Football Focus among all cornerbacks. And he didn’t play as well in 2018 as he did in 2017.
Hilton came to the team as an undrafted free agent in 2017 but has proven invaluable in sub-package defense. His ability to cover is well documented but it’s his run defense and blitzing which take his game to a level most slot cornerbacks can’t approach.
