Steelers Fans Get Direct Answer About Potential Reunion With Cameron Sutton Instead Of Patrick Peterson

The Pittsburgh Steelers still have question marks on the roster. One area of concern is cornerback. The roster is thin, with the Steelers having second-year player Joey Porter Jr. and newly-signed veteran Donte Jackson starting. 

Porter had a strong rookie season, but depth is a major concern. Cory Trice Jr. and rookie Ryan Watts are on the roster, but don't provide much reassurance. Predictions are flying that around that the team might choose to reunite with a former player. The most likely candidates are Patrick Peterson and Cameron Sutton. 

The eight-time Pro Bowler in Peterson only spent 2023 with the Steelers before the team chose to release him. While Peterson provided positional flexibility, it seems likely that, given his age, he wasn't worth the roughly $7 million he would have been owed. 

Pittsburgh drafted Sutton in 2017, and he spent most of his career in black and gold. At the end of the 2022 season, Sutton was a free agent, and while the Steelers had always been pleased with his consistent performance, he signed with the Detroit Lions for three years and roughly $33 million. Unfortunately, Sutton landed in legal trouble after only one season in Detroit and was cut from the team. 

During his popular chat column recently, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Steelers reporter Ray Fittipaldo was asked which of the two former players is more likely to be signed back to the Steel City. 

"I think they'll sign Sutton if his legal issues are dealt with and the commissioner doesn't give him a long suspension," Fittipaldo wrote.

Fittipaldo doesn't see a situation where the team chooses to bring back both Sutton and Peterson. This is despite Peterson having the added bonus of providing leadership to the younger players in the secondary. He stepped up last year and worked as a true mentor to Porter.

Sutton, 29, has the advantage of being younger than Peterson, who will be 34 when the season begins. Most agree that Sutton's age difference and prior work in Pittsburgh make him the more desirable candidate.  

"If the Steelers sign Cam Sutton I don't think Peterson comes back because he wouldn't have a big role. Your backups have to be able to play special teams. I think Peterson has a chance to come back if he's the starting slot/subpackage defender, but I think the Steelers have to decide on Sutton first."

Sutton's legal situation is still unknown. The situation escalated when he went on the run for weeks after the sheriff in Florida issued a warrant for his arrest on domestic violence and aggravated battery charges. He ultimately turned himself in. Now, he waits to hear his fate from the courts and the NFL. 

He will likely face discipline from the league regardless of what the court determines, but that decision remains up in the air. The league has its investors and will conduct its research. It is not an NFL rule that a player has to be found legally guilty before being disciplined by the league. He could be facing at least a six-game suspension, and as Fittipaldo pointed out, that might be too much for the Steelers. 

Steelers Players Promoting Patrick Peterson

Despite only spending one year in Pittsburgh, Peterson won over his teammates. During a recent episode of his podcast All Things Covered, he hosts with his cousin and fellow Steeler Bryant McFadden. 

McFadden said he was recently at the Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and spoke with several players, including Porter, who spoke very highly of Peterson. Porter told McFadden that he credits Peterson with helping him find success in his rookie year. Of course, McFadden couldn't resist putting in a good word himself, saying he was "politicking" on Peterson's behalf. 

Do you think the Steelers should bring back Sutton or Peterson? Why? If the legal troubles are resolved and Sutton is available, do you prefer him over Peterson? What line should the Steelers draw regarding his legal issues and allowing him back on the team? What do you think of the cornerback room as it stands today? Click to comment below. 

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