Free agency didn't last long for Cameron Sutton. And it appears it won't last long for Zach Banner.
The Steelers re-signed the cornerback to a two-year, $9 million contract that keeps their secondary largely intact for 2021. The deal was first reported by NFL Network. The deal includes a $3.5 million signing bonus and will pay Sutton $1 million in base salary in 2021 and $4.5 million in 2022 according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
That means Sutton will count just $2.75 million against the Steelers salary cap in 2021.
Sutton, 26, had been one of the team's top priorities heading into free agency, but the Steelers hadn't been able to get something done with him before the legal tampering period began at noon Monday.
But with just a few teams active on the opening day of the tampering period, Sutton took the deal the Steelers were offering him.
Meanwhile, according to a source, the Steelers are closing in on a deal with Banner after failing to retain Matt Feiler. Feiler agreed to a three-year deal worth $21 million to join the Chargers Monday.
A third-round pick out of Tennessee in 2017, Sutton provides the Steelers with some versatility in their secondary. He's played most slot cornerback in his career, but also can line up outside and has even practiced some at safety. But with Mike Hilton also a free agent, Sutton will take over as the team's primary slot safety with Steven Nelson and Joe Haden handling the outside duties.
In 52 career games, Sutton has three interceptions, 17 pass defenses and two sacks. He also led the Steelers in 2020 with three forced fumbles.
Banner who joined the Steelers after being released by the Panthers in 2018, was a fourth-round pick of the Colts in 2017. He won the starting right tackle job for the Steelers in training camp in 2020 but suffered a torn ACL in the team's regular season opener.
The Steelers could get a multi-year deal completed with Banner as early as Tuesday.
The new league year begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday.