Report - Steelers Signing Veteran Slot Cornerback Chandon Sullivan

While the end of the sixth round of the 2023 was coming to a close, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed another free agent, getting Patrick Peterson's former teammate and positional partner. Chandon Sullivan has reportedly been signed by the Steelers after playing for the Minnesota Vikings in 2022. 

Sullivan will now be competing for a roster spot and could contribute in a rotational/special teams role with guys like James Pierre or Akhello Witherspoon. He also take over as the slot corner role for Arthur Maulet. Whichever role he takes, as long as he produces, it should be a solid value signing.

What Will The Steelers Get From Sullivan?

Over Sullivan's previous four seasons with the Vikings and the Green Bay Packers, he played in every single game while starting in 10 games in each of the previous three seasons. In a secondary group that kept getting injured, Sullivan was able to stay healthy and contribute to a solid team. 

He racked up many more tackles in 2022 than he did any other season in his career, so he looks like he can be the Mike Hilton/Maulet type of slot corner that can help stop the run. He looks to be better utilized as a rotational piece than the every-day starter at cornerback. If the Steelers keep Tre Norwood, they can rotate slot corner and maximize Sullivan's ability in the slot. 

It's safe to say that Peterson had some sort of influence on this signing just like how Nate Herbig had influence on the Steelers drafting a pair of Wisconsin Badgers pass rushers, including his brother. Peterson and Sullivan were teammates with the Vikings, as both were producing for a secondary that struggled to stay on the field. Both Peterson and Sullivan were reasons that the Vikings had their immaculate record in one-score games and won their division somewhat easily in 2022. 

Sullivan can also be a gunner for the special teams, joining Pittsburgh's newly-signed special teams ace, Tanner Muse as well as Connor Heyward filling in on special teams duties for Derek Watt. Any sort of special teams player that can also have some production on the defense is a valuable player for any team, especially for the Steelers. He can be plugged in multiple situations and has shown that his tackling ability is a strong part of his game.

There were expectations that Omar Khan would sign someone after the draft, like when Damontae Kazee was signed last year, but he clearly wanted to get his guy before he had to make another pick. The Steelers had no picks in rounds five and six, so Khan was able to use this time to get the under-valued free agent he wanted before signing any undrafted free agents. 

As long as Mike Tomlin and Teryl Austin utilize Sullivan right, this can be a solid move that can contribute to the Steelers on game day. He will have even more competition after Pittsburgh drafted University of Purdue cornerback, Cory Trice with their first seventh round selection.

What do you think of Sullivan signing with the Steelers? Let us know down in the comments below.

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