Cam Sutton is heading into his fifth season with the Steelers after agreeing to a two-year, $9 million deal in March prior to the start of free agency. The deal also includes three voidable years.
The Steelers essentially chose Sutton over Steven Nelson when they released the latter as a cap casualty this offseason. Along with stepping into the starting outside cornerback position opposite of Joe Haden this year, Sutton is also looking forward to displaying his leadership skills more.
“Why would I put (leadership role) on somebody else? I want that role for myself,” Sutton said after Wednesday’s OTAs practice last week via Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “That’s just getting back to your approach, getting back to what you want for yourself, what you’re willing to put on the line and do for this team and this organization.
“Whatever that may be, I’ve done that over and over the course of this time, and now I’m looking to continue to keep expanding and maximizing in the roles and opportunities they’re presenting for me.”
Sutton was a third-round pick out of Tennessee in 2017 and is now entering the prime of his career at the age of 26. Even at a relatively young age in football terms, Sutton is surprisingly the second-oldest player in the Steelers’ secondary, behind just the 32-year-old Joe Haden.
“I’m just pushing into that role, extending the opportunities that I’ve had,” Sutton said about being a veteran in the secondary. “Hopefully, that continues to lead to everything that I want to be and everything we want it to be for this organization.”