Cameron Wolfe: Bengals Now Are Steelers Big Brother; Mike Hilton Began Massive AFC North Culture Shift

It is impossible for any organization, even one as prominent as the Pittsburgh Steelers, to make perfect decisions 100% of the time. Every team in, not just the NFL, but all of sports, makes mistakes when it comes to transactions or a lack there of. Some make less than the others with the Steelers being one of those. Let's flashback to the 2021 offseason when the franchise failed to do something that fans still complain about to this day. Slot cornerback, Mike Hilton was looking for a payday and the team decided against writing the check he was looking for. This led to the defender heading to the rival, Cincinnati Bengals.

It is true that Pittsburgh was not in the best financial position to be able to come close to the four-year, $24 million deal Hilton accepted from the Bengals, but as we all know, money can always be found somewhere. If the organization truly wanted to bring him back, it would have absolutely been possible with the proper restructures, cuts and salary cap creativity.

Hilton has excelled in Cincinnati and even had a crushing pick-6 against the Steelers in 2021. He hasn't been as successful rushing the passer from the slot position as he has come up with no sacks, but has three interceptions in two years to go along with two AFC Championship appearances. He even played in Super Bowl LVI. That's not too shabby.

One of the more upsetting things about the Hilton situation is that Pittsburgh's defense entering 2023 has really no true option in the slot position. Cameron Sutton would have likely been the go-to-guy, but he's another cornerback that the Steelers have let slip away as he signed a three-year deal with the Detroit Lions during free agency. Newcomers Patrick Peterson and Chandon Sullivan are likely top candidates to see time at the position this season, but only time will tell as to who will get the majority of snaps.

For those fans who do hold the front office accountable for letting Hilton slip away, they'll be even more upset to see NFL reporter, Cameron Wolfe's rankings of most underrated cornerbacks in the NFL. On Thursday morning, he and Julian Love gave their top three and Hilton landed at the end of Wolfe's list. 

Wolfe emphasized Hilton's size not being a factor like many would expect and said that he deserves some more respect.

"This is a guy who has always been told he is too small. He is not good enough. But, every time he has a moment to step up, he does. He has the most tackles of any cornerback out of the slot in the last six years. He is a guy with the Cincinnati Bengals who has helped this turnaround tremendously."

Wolfe continued with some words that will really fire up some Steelers fans.

"I've been in the locker room," Wolfe said. "He talked about being a Pittsburgh Steeler and looking at the Cincinnati Bengals as maybe the little brother. Then he goes over to the [Bengals] and helps make them big brother."

Pittsburgh is certainly still the 'big brother' throughout the division's history, but since Hilton went to Cincinnati, he is 3-1 against his former team and the Bengals have all the tools to be good for a very long time.

Could Steelers Fans See This Happen All Over Again In 2023?

History tends to repeat itself and with Sutton moving on and going to Detroit, it is quite possible Steelers fans look back and criticize the front office for not bringing him back - even if the franchise did draft two cornerbacks and sign the veteran All-Pro Peterson. Time will tell, but losing the two of these guys in the past three seasons makes it easy to connect the dots as to why Pittsburgh could have issues at slot corner if no one steps up.

Do you wish Hilton never left Pittsburgh? Do you think he's underrated? Let us know in the comments below!

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