Bengals DB Mike Hilton discusses emotions toward Steelers in advance of Super Bowl

When former Pittsburgh Steeler Mike Hilton came back to Heinz Field with the Cincinnati Bengals in September, he definitely relished his new team’s 24-10 victory over his former franchise.

Bengals teammate Tyler Boyd said Hilton spoke to the team twice in the days leading up to that game, claiming he “didn’t feel valued” by the Steelers.

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— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 26, 2021

The Bengals signed Hilton to a four-year, $24 million contract in March.

“He was their leading turnover guy from a year ago, and for them not to invest in a guy like him is kind of insulting to a person because you know how good you are,” Boyd said following the game. “You mean a lot to a team and an organization and they turn around and stab you in the back.”

Tyler Boyd says he was happy to see Mike Hilton get the win Sunday against the former team that disrespected his talents out the door. Hilton addressed the #Bengals twice before Sunday's game. pic.twitter.com/pfFoUjiKah

— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) September 27, 2021

Then, when the Bengals thumped the Steelers 41-10 in Cincinnati two months later, Hilton basked in that result as well.

"Best fans in the world." - @MikeHilton_28 pic.twitter.com/a5pwR35DWI

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 28, 2021

Why wouldn’t he? Not only did Cincy win in blowout fashion, but Hilton had an interception of Ben Roethlisberger that went for a touchdown during the game.

Glad to have you in Cincinnati @MikeHilton_28

Watch on CBS pic.twitter.com/Gxz7clJGXP

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 28, 2021

Hilton soaked up the moment afterward, essentially saying he could tell the play was coming.

Mike Hilton: The Cincinnati Bengal@Geico | #RuleTheJungle pic.twitter.com/1IsUfhHdFo

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 28, 2021

“Being a former player, you know those guys, you know what they like to run in certain situations,” Hilton said after the game. “You know who they want to get the ball to, so me having that little insight put me in position to make a play, and I just had to go make it, and I did.”

Now that he is at the Super Bowl, though, Hilton is taking a more politically correct approach when discussing his former team.

“There’s no hard feelings,” Hilton said. “I know the name of the game. I am always appreciative of them (for) giving me my opportunity to be here. I still talk to some of (those) guys to this day. So no bad blood between me, the coaches, the front office, the team, my ex-teammates. We are all still cool. I appreciate everything they did for me.”

Hilton went on to suggest that those two regular-season victories against the Steelers were emotionally altering for the Bengals franchise and himself.

“Definitely those two wins were big for me. The guys knew,” Hilton continued. “They could tell both weeks we played those guys, my mindset was different. I was just locked in. Really pushing guys a lot more just to show, like, ‘Alright guys. If we want to take this division over it’s going to start with Pittsburgh. They’ve been known to run this division.’”

Hilton admitted he played the disrespect card when addressing his teammates about the Steelers.

“(The Bengals) bringing me over, I had the insight of what Pittsburgh thought of Cincinnati. Telling those guys, getting them riled up. Knowing we are close, but we have to finish it,” Hilton said.

As far as switching teams within the AFC North, Hilton claims that he was prepared for negative fan reaction from Pittsburgh.

“I kinda knew the backlash I would get once I signed. I’ve heard it all year,” Hilton said. “But I’m not focused on it. I told the (Bengals players) that ‘I’m here with y’all. I have no ties outside of this organization.’ They embraced me. I embraced them. It felt like a hand-in-glove fit.”

Hilton finished the season with a career-high 66 tackles. He had an interception in the divisional round win over the Tennessee Titans.