Steelers agree to deal with veteran CB Patrick Peterson after losing Cam Sutton to Lions

After losing cornerback Cameron Sutton less than two hours into the NFL’s legal tampering period, the Pittsburgh Steelers replaced him later Monday afternoon.

The Steelers agreed to a two-year contract with 32-year-old Patrick Peterson. A two-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowl selection who spent the past two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Peterson made the announcement on a YouTube show he does with former Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden.

“I am taking my talents to the Steel Curtain,” Peterson said on the “All Things Covered” video podcast.

Peterson’s deal — like the three-year contract Sutton agreed to with the Detroit Lions — won’t become official until 4 p.m. Wednesday. The total value is a reported $14 million with $5.85 million guaranteed.

Peterson was the top cornerback in 2011 coming out of LSU, and the Arizona Cardinals selected him fifth overall. Peterson spent 10 seasons with the Cardinals before joining the Vikings in 2021.

While the NFL’s open tampering period for free agency began at noon Monday, the swiftness with which the news of complicated contracts being agreed to occurs suggests agents for many players as high-profile as Peterson can jump the gun in working out deals with teams. Not so in the case in this case, though. Peterson said interest from the Steelers in him came “out of left field.”

“My agent was doing his job, and he was calling around and seeing what teams were wanting to have me in their locker room,” Peterson said, “and Pittsburgh was one of those teams we felt would be a great destination for me.”

In Arizona, Peterson established himself as one of the league’s premier cornerbacks, earning All-Pro honors after the 2013 and 2015 seasons. Beginning in his rookie season, Peterson was selected to eight consecutive Pro Bowl teams.

Peterson earned $4 million last season with the Vikings, when he had five interceptions and 15 pass deflections in 17 starts. For his career, Peterson has 34 interceptions.

Sutton, a starter for the past two seasons and a member of the organization since 2017, agreed to a three-year deal with the Lions that is worth $33 million, including $22.5 million in guarantees.

The average annual value of $11 million presents a significant pay increase for Sutton, who concluded a two-year, $9 million contract he signed with the Steelers in 2021. In 2022, Sutton had a career-high three interceptions as well as a career-best 15 pass breakups.

After serving as a versatile role player in his first four seasons with the organization, Sutton moved into a starting role in 2021 and started 31 of a possible 33 regular-season games for the Steelers. Sutton continued to move around the defense, often moving inside when the Steelers went to a nickel or dime package.

It was obvious Monday that Peterson was aware of exactly how Sutton had been deployed by the Steelers. He likewise was familiar with how the Steelers used another former All-Pro, Joe Haden, who spent five seasons with the Steelers after signing in 2017.

“I envision myself being used like those guys,” Peterson said, “Being implemented into the gameplan, not being a guy just lined up on one side of the field (but) being able to mix and match and be in different positions. I am looking forward to it.”

Sutton’s departure comes three days after the Steelers released veteran William Jackson, creating $12 million in salary cap relief. In addition to Peterson, the Steelers still have veterans Levi Wallace and Ahkello Witherspoon under contract for one more season at matching $5,482,500 cap hits. Other cornerbacks on the roster are futures signings Duke Dawson, Madre Harper and Chris Wilcox.

Another cornerback, James Pierre, is a restricted free agent, and the Steelers must decide whether to tender him a contract offer by 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Peterson will be 33 by the time training camp opens and would be 34 when his contract with the Steelers expires. A good bet as a future Hall of Famer, Peterson indicated Monday that these next two seasons — his 13th and 14th — will be his final ones.

“What better franchise would you want to end your career in?” he said.