The Pittsburgh Steelers needed to do something to protect their cornerback depth when the Detroit Lions swooped in and gave Cameron Sutton a three-year, $33 million deal. About three hours later, the team inked two-time All-Pro Patrick Peterson to a two-year deal. Sutton's star is on the rise and though he didn't get top-of-the-line money, he certainly got a nice little pay boost in recognition of his ascension. Peterson at 32 years old is certainly not the player he once was, but can still find a role on the Steelers and showed last year with five interceptions he can still play at a good level in the NFL.
The swap of Sutton for Peterson was a hot topic on Tuesday morning and Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio and Chris Simms weighed in with their perspectives on the move. The Steelers didn't pony up the big cash to Sutton and will be paying Peterson about $4 million less a year, but in a rapid-fire segment on more impactful signings, Florio asked the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, and Denver Broncos quarterback about which of the moves around the Steelers will have more influence on the play of the respective teams next season.
"Peterson is still a good player, but Cam Sutton is damned good," Simms said. "He's one of those guys that are kind of under the radar as far as the better corners in football. The Steelers the last few years have put a lot of pressure on their corners. He's played a lot of man-to-man, he tackles and he does it all. The Lions stink in the secondary and I think they've got to sign someone else or draft someone in the first round. More impactful, Sutton to the Lions."
Where Does This Leave The Steelers' Secondary?
Unlike the Lions, the Steelers possess an elite play-maker locked up for the foreseeable future in Minkah Fitzpatrick, but still have questions surrounding the two positions on the unit. The Steelers' cornerback room now has some guys that have frustrated the fan base with their inconsistent play like James Pierre and Ahkello Witherspoon and solid veteran players in Peterson and Levi Wallace, but still lack a true number-one cover corner. The Steelers could still look to add a cornerback in the draft to try and develop into a star.
At safety, Fitzpatrick is the most important player on the defense going into 2023 not named TJ Watt. Both his teammates by way of voting him as team MVP and players from around the league recognized how talented and important to the squad he is. Beyond him, the team just inked Damontae Kazee to a two-year deal. While the 29-year-old only started in four games this season due to a preseason injury and suspension, he came away with two interceptions and a pair of passes defended.
Terrell Edmunds was the other member of the safety group last year on a one-year deal and he's still yet to sign anywhere this offseason. The team will have to decide whether he fits into the upcoming plans, or pivot to another option.
Will Sutton have a bigger impact in Detroit than Peterson in Pittsburgh? What do you think the plan should be for filling the secondary for 2023?
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