Fittipaldo: Cam Sutton’s suspension brings Patrick Peterson “back into the conversation”

Just over a month ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a big upgrade to their secondary. They reunited with CB Cam Sutton after he was released by the Detroit Lions earlier in the offseason following an off-field domestic violence incident. Before his signing, the Steelers had no clear option at slot corner. Sutton had assumed that role for the team until the 2022 season.

After this morning’s breaking news that Sutton is being suspended for eight games, which he reportedly will not appeal, the Steelers will have to start from scratch and come up with a plan for the slot corner.

This could open the door for another reunion and bring CB Patrick Peterson back to the roster to serve as the primary slot corner and bolster the overall depth in the secondary. Peterson has expressed his desire to return to the Steelers several times since his release, and this could be just the opportunity he’s been waiting for.

“That brings Patrick Peterson back into the conversation,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo said during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan. “If you can get Patrick Peterson on a veteran minimum contract — say through August 15 — let’s say they evaluate all of these guys I just mentioned for three weeks and they don’t like any of their options. Boom, you call Patrick Peterson. He’s keeping himself fit. He’s the slot corner for the first eight games of the season and you have Patrick Peterson and Cam Sutton at $2 million a year.”

I’m not sure the deal would be a veteran’s minimum salary. It’s very possible that teams have tried to sign him, so we don’t know if not signing him necessarily means he’s not interested. However, the deal will be cheaper than the average $7 million per year he received on the deal last offseason. It’s possible that he’s been waiting for this exact situation since Sutton was signed a month ago.

Peterson may have lost a step or two at 33, but he still has a wealth of knowledge and plenty of experienced leadership to offer the young secondary. He enjoyed the opportunity to mentor Joey Porter Jr. in his rookie season last year, and he would have the opportunity to continue that with Porter, Cory Trice Jr., Darius Rush and the rest of the young secondary.

He played 208 snaps in the slot last year, so he has experience in Teryl Austin’s defensive system in that role. Peterson spoke in an episode of his Everything covered Podcast in May.

“But as far as the backup role goes, it would have to be a nickel position because I feel like I can excel at a nickel position,” Peterson said. “I feel like I can defend any No. 2 or No. 3 receiver in the slot… I feel like I’ve gotten more and more comfortable with the assignments as the year has gone on.”

Playing in the slot is more about foresight and understanding the defense than being an elite athlete. That role might be better suited for Peterson at his age. The Steelers could wait and see how things play out with Beanie Bishop Jr., Grayland Arnold and Josiah Scott at the start of training camp. That said, I also wouldn’t be surprised if they already have Peterson on the phone negotiating a return.