The Pittsburgh Steelers have faced significant backlash recently for re-signing former third-round pick Cam Sutton. Following an offseason marked by his release from the Detroit Lions due to an alleged domestic violence incident in March, Sutton received an eight-game suspension from the NFL.
This suspension delays his season debut with the Steelers until November 10th against the Washington Commanders. Although the Steelers anticipated this suspension, it adds strain to their roster. Sutton was expected to be an immediate contributor in the slot and address the lack of starting experience in the secondary. With the hardest end-of-year schedule in the NFL, the Steelers have no time to waste in filling this gap.
Re-signing Sutton was risky due to the uncertainty of his return, but it could still prove beneficial. Regardless, the Steelers now face the challenge of filling the slot position in 2024. Former Steelers executive Doug Whaley, who led the Personnel Department from 2000-2010, discussed this issue on 93.7 The Fan’s Morning Show. He criticized the decision to re-sign Sutton, suggesting it was made based on emotion rather than strategy.
“You don’t want a move that backs you into a corner, and this move (bringing Sutton back) kind of boxed them in… Those two moves right there (Diontae Johnson and Sutton), they made those decisions personal.
We want Diontae Johnson out of here because we don’t like what he brings to the locker room. We have a backstory with Sutton, let’s bring him back. We can save him. Once you start making things personal man… that’s not a good thing. As the old saying goes, it’s not personal, it’s just business.”
The Steelers have yet to replace Diontae Johnson, who was traded to the Carolina Panthers earlier this offseason. With Sutton sidelined for a critical part of the season, General Manager Omar Khan and Head Coach Mike Tomlin face a challenging situation as training camp approaches.
How Can The Steelers Escape This Predicament?
Coach Tomlin’s philosophy of giving second chances has sometimes been beneficial, but it can also lead to complacency. While providing opportunities can be motivating for players, it can also prevent the team from making bold moves. The Steelers have started to shift away from their traditional approach of internal hires and cautious free agency moves. They have embraced second chances for players like Russell Wilson and Justin Fields and for new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, who all play key roles in the team’s rebuild.
In Sutton’s case, opinions are divided. On one hand, he might return healthy and rested for the toughest part of the season, which includes six games against playoff teams from last year and two against the Cincinnati Bengals with a likely healthy Joe Burrow.
On the other hand, Sutton’s return is uncertain, which could delay necessary moves before the trade deadline. Despite Sutton’s suspension, the Steelers can still turn this situation into a positive if they remain realistic about their roster. If the secondary struggles, they should make corresponding moves. Experimenting with younger players or admitting a mistake is acceptable. For a team with deep playoff potential, the best way out of their current predicament is to fight through it, making training camp a must-watch in 2024.
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