Tim Benz: Cam Sutton will add to Steelers defense, but don't subtract too much Beanie Bishop from the equation

Steelers defensive back Cameron Sutton is eligible to return from his eight-game suspension in Week 10 when the Steelers return from their bye.

That doesn’t mean defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is in a hurry to rip the slot cornerback job away from Beanie Bishop and simply hand it to Sutton in time for the franchise’s next game in Washington on Nov. 10.

“I don’t think that we have to force him. We know he’s a good player. We know he’s a capable starter,” Austin said Wednesday. “Our big thing is, let’s get him in, see where he fits and how he’s going to help us get better.”

Austin suggested that the Steelers may be inclined to ease Sutton into the defensive back rotation gradually. I think that’s wise.

“We’re going to try to work (Sutton) in,” Austin said. “He’ll play some slot. We know he’s got a jack-of-all-trades mentality. He has the ability to do it. We’ll play that by ear, see where he is physically, and go from there.”

Regardless of how much Sutton will play in Washington, defensive teammate Alex Highsmith is just happy to see Sutton back in the mix.

“It’s going to be awesome. We are so excited to have him back,” Highsmith said. “We know what type of football player he is. We know what he brings to our defense. Him being here and knowing this system, he is going to add a lot of value and make a lot of plays.”

Sutton was a Steeler from 2017-22. He went to Detroit in free agency prior to the beginning of the 2023 season. After some up-and-down play, allegations of domestic violence and a failure to turn himself in on an active warrant, the Lions released Sutton in March.

The Steelers signed him in June, but he was then suspended for half of this year because of the details surrounding the domestic violence case.

Austin said the defensive coaching staff can take things slowly with Sutton because Bishop has been more than capable of being the top option to cover slot receivers. The undrafted rookie out of West Virginia has three interceptions over the last two games.

Beanie Bishop Jr. with the INT to seal the @steelers win! pic.twitter.com/YS8hN3dZM1

— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2024

“He’s on an upward trajectory,” Austin said of Bishop. “We’ve just got to keep him going.”

Austin says there are other reasons to be happy with Bishop aside from the picks.

“He’s been a really good tackler in terms of things thrown in front of him,” Austin said. “The thing where most young guys struggle is with pass coverage — different things that happen, and people are trying to attack him. I think he’s starting to respond to that. It’s a good thing when guys see things, and they’re able to fix it, and it doesn’t continue to happen.”

For his part, Bishop seems confident in what he has put on tape.

“Every guy knows when it’s their turn, it’s time to step up,” Bishop said after the win over the New York Giants on Monday night. “Nothing is mystical about what is going on here. Just putting the work in. Whenever it is your turn, you have to step up.”

Bishop has done just that. I’d stick with him as the main player in the slot until or unless he gets injured, gets exposed or hits a rookie wall of some sort. There will be plenty of chances to dot Sutton into various spots throughout the secondary.

Sutton can spell Joey Porter Jr. and/or Donte Jackson on the outside if needed. He could also give DeShon Elliott or Damontae Kazee an occasional break.

So, barring a dip in Bishop’s play that warrants a diminished role, I think Austin can find other things for Sutton to do than strictly absorb all of — or most of — Bishop’s reps in the slot.

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