The Steelers have a lot of players who are set to hit the market in the 2021 offseason. Here’s why an extension for Cameron Sutton makes the most sense.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot of difficult financial decisions to make next year and not a penny to make them with (at the moment, at least). Because of the pandemic that has kept hundreds of thousands of fans out of stadiums this year, the Steelers are currently projected to be $21.7 million in the hole in 2021, according to Over the Cap.
While it’s hard to imagine Pittsburgh boasting a better roster next year than the one they have right now due to finances, the Steelers can find a way to get back under the cap pretty quickly, and there are several easy cuts they could make to save the cap space. Unfortunately, they have an outrageously high number of quality players set to hit the market next year that includes names like JuJu Smith-Schuster, Bud Dupree, Mike Hilton, Alejandro Villanueva, Matt Feiler, and James Conner.
Here’s why a contract extension for cornerback Cameron Sutton should be a top priority for the Steelers in 2021:
Youth is on his side
Cameron Sutton isn’t the only young player set to hit the market, but this is a quality that certainly doesn’t hurt. While a player like Villanueva no doubt plays a more important position at left tackle, he will be 33 years old at the start of the next season. Likewise, soon-to-be free agents Bud Dupree and Matt Feiler are in their late 20s.
Sutton, on the other hand, is still just 25 years old and no doubt has his best football in front of him. After two terrific years of sample size in 2019 and 2020, there’s no reason to suggest that he won’t continue to get even better.
The price is right
Cameron Sutton certainly has done himself some big favors as his payday rapidly approaches. However, as just a part-time player for the Steelers so far at this point, he hasn’t done so much that he has priced himself outside of Pittsburgh’s range. Mike Hilton, on the other hand, may have already done that after playing 56 games for the team over the past four years as the starting nickel cornerback.
According to Sportrac.com, Sutton is projected to make $7.2 million in annual salary on his next contract. While this seems like a lot, he would no doubt be a starting cornerback for the Steelers next season, and this is actually quite the bargain. Compared to an older player who hasn’t performed as well, like Bengals CB Makenzie Alexander, Sutton is still projected to be cheaper.
Additionally, Steven Nelson and Joe Haden are set to make $14.4 million and $15.5 million respectively next year, and cutting either one of them would give Pittsburgh the cap space they need to lock up Sutton long-term (assuming they cut back in a few other areas to get under the cap as well). While a player like Bud Dupree or JuJu Smith-Schuster might make a bigger impact, they will no doubt be at least double the price. Keeping Sutton gives the Steelers the best bang for their buck.
The Steelers CB has made strides each year
Cameron Sutton is often overshadowed by the other players in his draft class – and what a class it turned out to be for the Steelers! T.J Watt is an All-Pro player and Defensive Player of the Year candidate for the second season in a row, while JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Conner are both former Pro Bowlers and highly popular players.
Right now, Sutton might be the second-best of all of them (not necessarily in terms of his importance, but his overall consistency and level of play). After a slow start to his NFL career, Sutton really exploded onto the scene as a part-time player for the Steelers in 2019. Last year, his 74.5 overall grade was second only to Steven Nelson at cornerback for Pittsburgh, according to Pro Football Focus. This year, Sutton ranks 1st among cornerbacks on the team and 21st of 126 qualifying cornerbacks in the NFL.
While he may not possess ideal size metrics for the position (5’11”, 188 lbs, 30” arms), Sutton is a fiery competitor who is rarely caught out of position. In addition, Sutton has recorded an interception and 3 forced fumbles this year despite playing just 54 percent of defensive snaps, according to Pro Football Reference.
Cameron Sutton may not be the most complete cornerback in the NFL. He has modest athletic traits and is a bit undersized if he were to start on the outside full-time. However, his youth, improvements, and reasonable price tag are all reasons his contract extension should be a top priority for the Steelers in 2021.