As NFL free agency approaches this week, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a choice to make. Do they try to outbid other teams in an attempt to keep cornerback Cameron Sutton, or do they let him go to another franchise willing to pay more?

Similarly, are the Steelers willing to outspend other suitors in an attempt to retain safety Terrell Edmunds?

In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLIVE has a simple answer for both questions.

“I wouldn’t overpay for either,” Madden said.

If the Steelers find that the bidding for both players is reasonable — but they only feel comfortable spending on one and not the other — Madden said keeping Sutton is the more logical choice.

“If they keep (Damontae) Kazee, then they don’t need Edmunds as much. I liked the troika of safeties (Kazee, Edmunds and Minkah Fitzpatrick). But I don’t know that it is a necessity,” Madden said.

However, Madden is of the opinion that Sutton isn’t worth breaking the bank to keep. He’s heard that Sutton wants in the neighborhood of $9 million per season. I’ve heard something similar. But Spotrac projects that Sutton’s asking price should be in the $7.6 million per year range.

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Madden wondered if the Steelers may try to meet Sutton’s demands because they regret losing Mike Hilton in free agency to the Cincinnati Bengals after the 2020 season.

“I’m not giving (Sutton) that,” Madden said of a potential $9 million per year price tag. “He’s a nickel. On a good team, he’s a nickel. No matter what he might be in the context of what the Steelers have this very second at cornerback, he’s a nickel. If the Steelers get the defensive backfield they want today, tomorrow or next year, he’s nickel. I know they have some remorse about letting Mike Hilton go because of the great job he has done in Cincinnati. That’s in Cincinnati. Cam Sutton doesn’t play in Cincinnati. He plays in Pittsburgh. And he (should be) a nickel. On the Steelers he might be their best corner. I still don’t overpay for him.”

One area where both Madden and I think the Steelers could — and should — be aggressive in free agency is at inside linebacker. The Steelers have a glaring need there, and there are some good players available at the position. Players such as Bobby Wagner, Lavonte David, Tremaine Edmunds, Erick Kendricks and T.J. Edwards.

“I just think that you can fill the need at inside backer easiest in free agency. And more immediately (than the draft). Their inside linebackers last year (Devin Bush, Myles Jack, Robert Spillane, Mark Robinson) were awful,” Madden said.

Also in the podcast, Madden and I talk about the Penguins victories over the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers this weekend. We also dive into the latest controversial hits from Jacob Trouba and other Rangers against the Penguins. Plus, we discuss great road venues in the NHL, Pitt’s inclusion into the NCAA Tournament as part of the “First Four” and the Academy Awards.

Listen: Tim Benz and Mark Madden talk Penguins and Pitt

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