It's just business.
That was the message of Cam Sutton on Monday when he talked about his new contract with the Steelers and what it meant toward the team's ability to retain Steven Nelson.
Two weeks ago, Sutton, 26, signed a two-year, $9 million contract to return to the Steelers in 2021. His deal includes an opt-out option for the team after the season in which he would count $2.8 million if he's not on the 2022 roster. If he is, Sutton counts $5.2 million against the team's salary cap.
This year, however, Sutton counts just $1.7 million against the team's cap, a very reasonable number for a player expected to have a big role. That was far different than the more than $14 million Nelson would have cost the Steelers in 2021. So, after re-signing Sutton two weeks ago at the start of the free agency period, the Steelers moved on from Nelson, saving $8.25 million against their salary cap.
"That’s my boy. It’s all love and respect," Sutton said of Nelson. "But it’s business."
Sutton didn't know his signing would necessarily lead to the eventual release of Nelson, but he did know that returning to Pittsburgh was going to lead to additional opportunities to play.
A third-round pick in 2017, Sutton has seen his playing time increase each year. But he was blocked from a full-time starting role by Nelson and Joe Haden on the outside and Mike Hilton in the slot. But Hilton left in free agency, signing a four-year, $24 million deal with the Bengals and the Steelers released Nelson.
The opportunities for Sutton are going to be there.
"They wanted to give me every opportunity to play outside," Sutton said. "It’s something I knew I could do. I’ve done it before."
Sutton appeared in all 16 games in 2020, including six starts. He recorded 30 tackles, one interception and eight pass defenses. He also led the Steelers with three forced fumbles. Opposing quarterbacks had a passer rating of just 78.9 when targeting Sutton. For Nelson, that rating was 97.0.
But, as he did last year at times when he was filling in for either Nelson or Haden, when the Steelers go to their sub packages, the expectation is that Sutton will move inside, and either Justin Layne or James Pierre will play on the outside. The Steelers could even add another corner in the draft who would factor into the equation.
"I love that," Sutton said. "It’s more opportunity to impact the game. There are situations where it is a base defense out there. Then there are situations where there are situations based on what we’re seeing. We’re all in it together. We’re all moving pieces and parts. I have the comfortability to start outside and then bump inside. That’s all about the versatility in the game.
"They’re going to have opportunities to battle," Sutton continued in regard to Layne, a 2019 third-round pick, and Pierre, an undrafted rookie in 2020. "No position is given in this league. Those guys will compete and battle, work and keep their heads down, putting out a good product and continue helping the organization."
Sutton's versatility has been both a blessing and a curse for him early in his career. At different times, he's been tasked with playing inside, outside and even safety. But he has rarely gotten the opportunity to line up and play full-time like he will in 2021.
That's why, even though he said he had some other offers in the opening salvo of free agency, he chose to re-sign with the Steelers.
"The opportunity kind of fell in line," he said. "I’m more than excited and ready and willing to put my best foot forward for the organization. ... I’m not where I know I can be and want to be. I’ve always been an outside guy. It’s not something new. It’s not a shock to me."