Due to bad play, cap constraints, and better options, the Steelers need to consider cutting a starting CB
It is no secret at this point that the Steelers secondary has regressed from last year. After the trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick, this unit came together and helped shut down opposing offenses. Part of this was due to the massive increase in turnovers, as the unit seemed to come up with interceptions and big plays more often then not. While the turnovers were a major plus, the coverage itself was really good, and it was hard for teams to move the ball through the air as a result.
While a regression in turnovers was expected, the overall regression has been a concern for the Steelers. Outside of a few solid games, the Steelers secondary has seemed to struggle consistently week in and week out. Though the team is still undefeated, that is more due to the impressive pass rush and run defense than the struggling secondary. With an offseason coming up that will likely be tight in terms of cap space, it may be time for the Steelers to cut either Joe Haden or Steven Nelson.
Now, a move like this would happen after the season obviously, but it still doesn’t mean this issue should be ignored until then. The real problem isn’t just their suffering play, but instead the fact that two younger and more talented in-house options are pending free agents. Based on their 2020 play, the Steelers would be wise to move some money around and sign one of them instead of keeping one of the aforementioned veterans.
While this would certainly be a risk, it is one that the Steelers have to consider due to the regression in play. Below is the reasons why each player should or shouldn’t be kept as well as what it will cost (or likely cost) for the Steelers to have them on the roster next year. With all of that said, here is the breakdown of what the Steelers will need to do at cornerback moving forward.
Other options to replace
Before I get into specific players, talking about the broadest and least likely options make the most sense. For starters, the Steelers could cut either of their starters and attempt to replace them in free agency. Unfortunately, the elite players at this position get paid as such, and for the cap-strapped Steelers, it will likely be far too much to afford even after a release. In turn, they would likely be targeting a player for 5-7 million a season as well as adding a corner early in the draft.
Based on the numbers from last year, that would leave the Steelers best free agents in the range of a Mackensie Alexander to Josh Norman. Both would be downgrades from either Nelson or Haden, so this doesn’t seem like the best course of action from the Steelers. The other option would be rolling with Justin Layne on the outside. He would be entering his third season as a pro and given the third-round pick invested in him, it may be time for him to see the field.
Though Layne had intriguing size coming out of Michigan State, he has only seen 39 total defensive snaps to this date. While he has been seeing more work in rotation in recent weeks, it isn’t like he is making a lot of noticeable plays or standing out as a player that needs to start. In fact, he is credited with being target twice so far this season, and both targets have ended in completions for the opposing team.
This doesn’t mean Layne can’t start, but it does mean that he will need to show some improvement as he sees more playing time this season. Either way, this route of cutting a starter and looking outside the Steelers/at Layne to start makes the least sense.
Cutting Joe Haden
It is safe to say that Haden has been one of the better free agents that the Steelers have signed since Kevin Colbert took over as GM. Better yet, Haden was a training camp cut of the Browns, meaning he was signed with no comp picks lost and for a reasonable deal at the time. He re-upped last year and will be in the final year of his deal going into 2021. While cutting him may seem like a mistake, the Steelers will be forced to make tough moves this offseason.
While he has been as close to a lockdown corner for the Steelers as anyone, he seems to have regressed in his age 31 season. According to PFR, he has only allowed 53.7 percent of passes his way to be completed. That is on pace with his usual numbers, but the issue is he has given up more yards per completion (14.3 so far on the year) while also giving up two touchdowns. As well, his quarterback rating when targeted is higher than it has ever been since he signed with the Steelers, as he has given up a rating of 84.8 when the ball is thrown his direction.
Is that number horrible? No, but it certainly shows regression from the 66.5 rating he was giving up last year. While he would still be roster able assuming his play stays around there, he has a hefty cap charge of $15.575 million next year, and the Steelers could save $7 million of that by cutting him. That money could be used to retain some of the better corners that are preparing to hit the market. Haden isn’t a lock to be cut, but his best days are behind him, and letting him go may allow for younger talent to stay on the roster.
Cutting Steven Nelson
The Nelson signing seemed like a great move for the Steelers after last season. The former Chief only allowed 50 percent of the passes thrown his way to be completed and he allowed no touchdowns. Something seems to have changed though, as this season he has been a train wreck. He has allowed 60.9 percent of the passes his way to be completed and has given up five touchdowns already. To go along with that, he is credited for allowing 436 yards given up just halfway through the season (he only gave up 491 last year). The final nail in his 2020 coffin of bad play is the horrendous 110.4 rating quarterbacks have when targeting him.
There seems to be little reasoning as to why Nelson is struggling so much. He had another year to get acclimated to the defense, so in theory, his numbers should have been better. Instead, he has struggled mightily as a corner, and his roster spot next year is looking far less likely than it did last year. He is still young, meaning this likely isn’t regression and he could bounce back. The issue is the Steelers would seemingly have to bet on a bounce-back if they kept him over Haden.
Worse yet, Nelson accounts for a cap hit of 14.42 million next year, and the Steelers could save 8.25 million if they cut the veteran. While it would be risky to keep an aging Haden over Nelson, play quality definitely favors Haden. Regardless, given the nature of the two cap hits, it seems like only one of Haden or Nelson will be on this roster next year. If Nelson can’t improve his game over the latter half of the year, he will likely be the odd man out.
Resigning Cam Sutton
Now, the reason to cut either Nelson or Haden isn’t just to save money. The Steelers have their two best corners (based on 2020 play at least) set to be free agents, and that money would ideally go to signing one of them (if not both of them). Looking first at Cameron Sutton, the former third-round pick is entering the final year of his rookie deal. While he has never been a true starter, he has seen some more snaps due to injury and has looked like the best coverage option that the Steelers currently have on the roster.
On the year, Sutton has given up seven receptions (a 63.6 percent completion rate) and has only allowed 55 yards to be gained off those. He has given up a touchdown, but that doesn’t diminish the impressive 68.4 rating quarterbacks have when targeting him. While his sample size isn’t huge as he has only played 41 percent of the defensive snaps, the numbers he is allowing is certainly impressive. Even better, Sutton has outside corner and slot capabilities, meaning he could either become the full-time slot starter or move to the outside if needed.
Given his part-time status on the defense, the Steelers would likely need to give him a smaller deal in order for him to try and cash in after becoming a starter. My guess at a deal would be at two years and given his play the Steelers needing to sign him before free agency kicks off, it will need to be a competitive offer.
A possible two-year deal could look could go for 10 million total with a 4 million dollar signing bonus. That would make his first-year cap hit in the range of 3 million dollars. The Steelers would be risking a known commodity, but Sutton has earned the chance to start. He has looked like the best cover corner so far on the team, and the Steelers would be unwise to allow him to walk in favor of a player currently on the roster.
Resigning Mike Hilton
Last on the list, and arguably the best member of the Steelers secondary is Mike Hilton. The former tryout player has become of, if not the best overall slot corners in the league. This isn’t to say he is elite in coverage, he isn’t, but he is a fierce tackler and pass rusher that he is a threat to make a play in a variety of ways. On the year, he already has three sacks and a pick to go along with only allowing a 90.8 quarterback rating when being targeted.
His unique style is what makes him the great player that he is. Despite only being 5’9, he tackles like Vince Williams and blitzes like a linebacker. That overall ability is the main reason that the Steelers should do whatever they can to retain him. While the team has still found ways to win, the defense has struggled since Hilton has been injured. Even if it takes a cut, keeping Hilton has to be a top priority this offseason.
Based on Justin Coleman’s deal in 2019, it seems reasonable that Hilton signed on for a four-year deal at around 38 million (9.5 million per year). Tack on a signing bonus of say 10 million and the Steelers can get his first-year cap hit similar to what Sutton’s would be. Based on the above contract, Hilton would only cost 3.5 million year one, making him beyond affordable despite being one of the most talented players in the secondary. The Steelers need to do whatever they can in order to retain their talented duos at inside cornerback.
While these numbers are all just projections right now, it seems likely that one of the starting corners is cut in order to open up more cap space for the roster. Based on the projected deals above, cutting either Haden or Nelson would free up enough cap to sign both Hilton and Sutton. That said, it doesn’t consider the rest of the roster. Besides the point, expect some shuffling among this secondary as the Steelers make some difficult decisions for this roster moving forward.