Steelers sign CB Cam Sutton just months after domestic assault case

UPDATE: The Pittsburgh Steelers officially announced the signing of veteran cornerback Cam Sutton early Wednesday afternoon, releasing TE Izaiah Gathings in a corresponding roster move.

The Pittsburgh Steelers appear in position to make another addition to the cornerback room — this time, it’s a familiar face that will be returning to the black and gold.

The Steelers are set to meet with veteran cornerback Cam Sutton on Wednesday and are expected to sign him to a one-year deal for the veteran minimum, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Interestingly, the news comes just one day after The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly reported that Sutton was placing his Pittsburgh home on the market — a sign that many thought meant a reunion between Sutton and the Steelers was unlikely.

Sutton signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Detroit Lions in the 2023 free-agency period. However, he was released after a single season amidst domestic assault allegations, where he faced a charge of domestic battery by strangulation. The charges were eventually de-escalated to a misdemeanor battery charge, per the Tampa Bay Times.

Back in April, Sutton elected to enter a “pretrial diversion program” in order to resolve the case. That program included stipulations that he undergo a mental health evaluation and possible treatment, if warranted, Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk reports.

All things considered, Sutton’s tenure with the Lions was a bit of a disaster. He allowed a career-high 1,173 receiving yards and eight touchdowns as the nearest defender in coverage, averaging a 122.0 NFL passer rating given up, per PFF.

It was a stark contrast to his performance in his final year with the Steelers, where he allowed a 50.7% catch rate for 411 receiving yards (11.4 yards per reception average) for a 69.6 NFL passer rating. It’s worth noting that Lions primarily utilized Sutton as a boundary corner, as opposed to the slot role he often assumed for the Steelers. Still, time will tell which version of Sutton the Steelers will get heading into his eighth NFL season.

In his six seasons with the Steelers, Sutton totaled 8 interceptions, 5 forced fumbles, two sacks and 168 combined tackles in 84 games played. From Day 1, Sutton will presumably reclaim his position as the preferred slot corner, likely to rotate snaps intermittently along the boundary in rotation with veteran Donte Jackson, who was acquired via trade this offseason.