Steelers Absolutely Must Pass On Franchise Tag In 2023

The offseason is in full swing for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the rumors are swirling as we are currently in the time period in which teams are able to either franchise or transition tag players from the 2022 season. The franchise and transition tag window runs through March 7th and the Steelers have a few players they may consider using the tag on. 

For those who don't know, the franchise tag is a tool teams can use to keep players on their roster from the previous season without giving them the chance to hit the free agent market. There are a few requirements that the team must do in order to place a player under the franchise tag. They need to either pay no less than the average top five salaries at that specific position, or 120% of the players previous year's salary, whichever amount is greater. Under certain circumstances, a team may receive compensatory draft picks if they are unable to match another team's offer in a non-exclusive franchise tag. 

The transition tag is similar to the franchise tag in many ways. The main differences with the transition tag, is that the team is only required to pay an average of the top ten salaries at that position, rather than top five like with the franchise tag. There also is no compensation draft picks awarded if the team loses a player due to not matching a competing offer from another team.

One player that has been having his name brought up quite often when it comes to free agency and the possibility of being tagged is Steelers cornerback, Cam Sutton. Sutton has been one of the cornerstones in the Steelers' secondary which is crucial in a unit that has struggled to find consistency. He is set to hit free agency in March and the Steelers must find a way to keep him in Pittsburgh. The question is "how?" 

Franchise Tagging Sutton Is Not The Route The Steelers Should Take

The tagged cornerbacks are set to make $18.2 million in 2023, that is an amount the Steelers would be more than capable of clearing in order to create cap space for Sutton next season. This would give the Steelers another season with Sutton and also gives them an extended opportunity to sign him long term. 

The issue with tagging Sutton, is simply the amount it would force the Steelers to pay him. There is no question Sutton has played a valuable role in the Steelers' secondary over the past few seasons, and it is his turn to receive a well-earned payday. While I do expect to see Sutton get a solid offer and significant bump in salary in 2023, the $18.2 million per year seems a bit steep if I'm the Steelers. If the Steelers decided to use a transition tag on Sutton, it would still cost them around $16 million in 2023, which in my opinion is still too much for him.  

What I'm looking to sign Sutton for if I am general manager Omar Khan is right around the $13 million per year asking price. Offering $13 million per year to Sutton is a fair offer in my opinion, that put him right around the top 15 highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL and that would be about par when it comes to his performance and how it ranks around the league. If he decides that is not enough and wants the upwards of $15 million, then I am letting him walk and test the waters in free agency. Sutton is a cornerback that is worth spending money on and keeping in the locker room for years to come, but the Steelers simply cannot afford to use a franchise nor transition tag on him next season. 

With the cap space issues the Steelers are facing next season, tagging Sutton is not an option and the only way they will be able to keep him around for the long haul is to sign him to a long-term deal and not let him hit the free agent market. 

What do you think? Should the Steelers use a tag on Sutton in 2023? Should they sign him to a long-term contract? Or should the Steelers simply let him walk. Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below or on my Twitter @collinlschmitt. 

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