The Pittsburgh Steelers are just under a week away from one of the more pivotal free agency periods in recent years. With the off-the-field issues that seemingly every other team in the AFC North is having, the Steelers have stayed exceptionally quiet so far this offseason. The biggest problem right now in Pittsburgh is finding a way to retain key free agents from the 2022 season along with filling holes on both sides of the ball, all while trying to stay under the NFL's salary cap which is set to be at $224.8 million in 2023 (nearly a $20 million increase from 2022).
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Steelers' Cam Sutton (20) celebrates with teammates after a turnover against the Cincinnati Bengals.
One free agent the Steelers would like to find a way to keep in Pittsburgh is veteran cornerback Cam Sutton. Sutton had a stellar campaign in 2022 where he finished the season where he started 15 games with 43 combined tackles and 3 interceptions. He was certainly one of the more productive pieces in a Steelers secondary that struggled at times.
The Steelers decided to not use a franchise tag on the sixth-year cornerback and now he is set to hit free agency next week. It would appear that he will be looking for a significant upgrade in the financial aspect of things this off-season and the Steelers are most likely on the outside looking in when it comes to bring back Sutton in 2023. In the latest predictions put out by Pro Football Focus on landing spots for key free agents, PFF had Sutton headed to the Minnesota Vikings.
At first glance this prediction came as a surprise to me due to the fact the Vikings have salary cap issues of their own, and much bigger ones than the Steelers. But in recent days with multiple reports coming out that multiple high-paid players want out of Minnesota, it would appear the Vikings will be able to offer Sutton substantially more than the Steelers in terms of salary.
Another NFC North team is apparently doing their homework on Sutton. The Detroit Lions are rumored to be very interested in Sutton, too.
Following the hire of Brian Flores, you can expect the #Vikings to pursue #Steelers CB Cam Sutton in free agency this off-season.
— vikesinsider (@vikesinsider) February 7, 2023
Sutton was excellent in 2022, allowing a passer rating of 67.1 when targeted (49.7% completion rate). pic.twitter.com/5omZ9WUQ8g
Do The Steelers Currently Have Sutton's Replacement On Their Roster?
In all likelihood that Sutton does end up anywhere other than Pittsburgh in 2023, I don't see a player on their roster currently that can play up to the level Sutton did in 2022. Whether the Steelers look to free agency or the draft for Sutton's replacement at the cornerback position is still uncertain at the moment. There is plenty of options in this year's upcoming draft when it comes to high-level talent in the first two rounds at the cornerback position.
Most notably Joey Porter Jr. is on the Steelers' radar for many reasons. Not only does he have a high ceiling and tremendous talent, but he also has personal ties to the Steelers and Head Coach Mike Tomlin due to his father Joey Porter Sr. playing and coaching for Tomlin over the course of many seasons.
Potential Steelers 1st Round Draft Pick Joey Porter Jr. | Scott Taetsch / Getty Images
When looking at possible free-agent options to fill Sutton's shoes, I would expect the Steelers to lean toward the direction of signing former Arizona Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy. Murphy is only 25 years old and was the 2nd round pick by the Cardinals back in 2019. He landed on the IR after being sidelined since Week 10 due to a back injury and it looks all but certain that his playing days in Arizona are over. His market value would be in the same realm as what Sutton was getting paid by the Steelers in 2022.
What do you think? Do you agree with PFF's prediction and think Sutton will end up with the Vikings in Minnesota? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below!
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