A former Pittsburgh Steelers fan favorite could be hitting the free agent market soon. On Monday, Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton took to social media to share a cryptic message that many believe is a statement about his future.
In a post on X, Hilton wrote, 'New opportunities always present themselves.' Hilton has an expiring contract and is expected to hit free agency.
New opportunities always present themselves 🙏🏾
— Mike Hilton (@MikeHilton_28) March 3, 2025
Hilton began his career as an undrafted free agent with the Steelers—playing four seasons in Pittsburgh before inking a four-year, $24 million contract with the Bengals.
Over the past four seasons in Cincy, Hilton recorded six interceptions and 24 passes defended while raking in a whopping 36 tackles for a loss. Over the past two years alone, Hilton recorded 157 tackles and 24 tackles for a loss.
Pittsburgh Steelers should set the bar higher in free agency than Mike Hilton
This close to the start of the 2025 free agency period, we can safely assume that Mike Hilton will hit the open market. We can also assume that, based on Hilton's comments, the Bengals have informed the veteran cornerback that they are looking to move in a different direction and they won't be offering him a deal.
On paper, a reunion with the Steelers makes sense. Pittsburgh needs both depth and experience at the nickel cornerback position and Hilton thrived early in his career. However, Omar Khan and the front office should set the bar higher in free agency.
Just like he was in his early NFL days, Hilton is still a quality run defender. The undersized cornerback has never lacked physicality and coming downhill in run support is still the best part of his game. Unfortunately, Hilton has been a liability at times in coverage.
Coming into the league, Hilton tested as a poor athlete at just 5'8 3/4'' and 178 pounds. Because of this, he had trouble sticking with faster slot receivers. Now Hilton will be 31 years before the start of free agency, and banking on an undersized cornerback with pedestrian athletic traits in his 30s is a bad idea.
Hilton could still hold some value in the right situation, but the Steelers would be wise to set their sights higher in free agency. Going after a younger, more athletic cornerback with more gas left in the tank—like Nate Hobbs or Byron Murphy—would make much more sense.
If the Steelers do go after Hilton in free agency, the veteran would be nothing more than a stop-gap nickel cornerback in Pittsburgh who could see a time-share role over the next season or two. We all loved Mike Hilton during his time in The Steel City, but the front office could do better.