Former Detroit Lions cornerback Cam Sutton is set to join the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year, veteran-minimum contract, according to Tom Pelissero and Brooke Pryor.
Sutton was released by the Lions earlier this offseason after an arrest warrant was issued for him on charges of domestic battery by strangulation. At the time, Sutton had not informed the Lions and was considered a fugitive. He has since surrendered to authorities, been released on his own recognizance, and had his charges reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor. Sutton agreed to participate in a Domestic Violence Intervention Program, which, if completed, will result in no prosecution. It remains unclear if the NFL will impose any discipline on him.
In 2023, Sutton had signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Lions, including $22.5 million guaranteed. However, the Lions reportedly voided the $10.5 million base salary for 2024 when they released him, assigning the release with a post-June 1 designation. This means Sutton’s contract, excluding his signing bonus proration ($2.18M this year and $6.54M next year), is no longer on the Lions’ books.
Sutton is rejoining the Steelers, the team that drafted him. A third-round pick in 2017, Sutton started 39 games over six seasons with the Steelers, recording 21 passes defended and five interceptions in his final two years. In Detroit, he played all 17 games last season but only managed six passes defended and one interception.
The Lions have aggressively revamped their cornerback roster this offseason. They acquired Carlton Davis via trade, signed Amik Robertson in free agency, and used their first two draft picks on Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. They also re-signed Emmanuel Moseley, Kindle Vildor, and Khalil Dorsey.
On Tuesday, coach Dan Campbell expressed his enthusiasm for the new secondary.
“The talent level, the competitiveness, the versatility,” Campbell said. “Honestly, we have no idea who our starting lineup’s going to be right now and it’s exciting. It’s so good.”
