Cincinnati, OH – May 6, 2025. A former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback has found a new home within the AFC North, signing a deal that shifts the division’s defensive landscape. The veteran defender, a longtime fan favorite in Pittsburgh, has inked a contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, bolstering their secondary for a 2025 playoff push.
Cam Sutton, who spent six seasons with the Steelers across two stints, agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million deal with Cincinnati. The 30-year-old’s return to the AFC North comes after his 2024 campaign in Pittsburgh, where he recorded one interception in eight games, showcasing his versatility in slot and outside roles.
Sutton’s signing addresses a glaring need for the Bengals, whose secondary ranked 22nd in passing yards allowed last season. With Chidobe Awuzie gone to Tennessee, Cincinnati’s $10 million cap space enabled the addition of Sutton to pair with DJ Turner and Cam Taylor-Britt, fortifying Lou Anarumo’s defense.
In Pittsburgh, Sutton’s departure leaves Joey Porter Jr. and an aging Darius Slay as the top cornerbacks, with rookie Donte Kent unproven. The Steelers’ $2 million cap, stretched by DK Metcalf’s deal, limited their ability to retain Sutton, despite his 38 career pass breakups and fan adoration for his clutch plays.
Cincinnati’s offense, led by Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, gains a defensive boost to counter AFC North stars like Metcalf. Sutton’s familiarity with the division, honed over 84 games with Pittsburgh, positions him to disrupt rivals like his former team twice a year.
Steeler Nation expressed mixed emotions on X, with some fans cherishing Sutton’s 2017-2022 tenure and others frustrated by his move to a hated rival. His exit follows recent cuts of Cordarrelle Patterson and Calvin Anderson, signaling Pittsburgh’s youth-driven rebuild.
The Bengals’ gamble on Sutton aims to solidify their playoff aspirations, leveraging his experience to challenge the division’s elite. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, faces pressure to bolster its secondary, with only $4.3 million freed from recent cuts to pursue free agents or waiver claims.
This signing intensifies the AFC North rivalry, as Sutton’s move to Cincinnati sets the stage for heated battles. As both teams vie to end playoff droughts, his presence in orange and black marks a bold new chapter in a storied divisional saga.
