Over the past several weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers have made a significant adjustment in their defensive lineup, particularly in the slot cornerback position. Cameron Sutton has steadily taken on a more prominent role, effectively sidelining Beanie Bishop. This shift reached a critical point during the Steelers’ recent game against the Kansas City Chiefs, where Sutton logged an impressive 43 snaps, while Bishop, for the first time all season, was not featured at all.
This growing reliance on Sutton has not been sudden but rather a gradual evolution over the team’s last three games. During this span, Sutton has consistently out-snapped Bishop, showcasing his ability to fill multiple roles within the Steelers’ defense. In addition to his duties in the slot, Sutton has been deployed at safety and as a nickel defender, underlining his versatility. The return of DeShon Elliott has only bolstered this transition, with the Steelers opting to rotate Sutton as a dimebacker or incorporating Damontae Kazee in critical situations, rather than turning to Bishop.
At the heart of this decision lies a clear evaluation of Bishop’s limitations as a player. While Bishop has displayed impressive instincts and a knack for creating turnovers in zone coverage, his struggles in man-to-man coverage have raised concerns. This deficiency has made it challenging for the coaching staff to rely on him in certain high-stakes scenarios. On the other hand, Sutton’s extensive experience in the NFL provides the Steelers with a more dependable option. His ability to seamlessly adapt to various defensive assignments has been a valuable asset, particularly as the team works to solidify their secondary.
Since his return from suspension, Sutton has become a cornerstone of the Steelers’ defensive strategy. His veteran presence and versatility have allowed the team to explore different configurations, enabling them to address gaps and weaknesses in their coverage schemes. However, while Sutton has been a significant upgrade in many respects, his performance has not been without its challenges. There have been moments where Sutton has struggled in man coverage, prompting the coaching staff to simplify the defensive playbook and lean on more straightforward coverage schemes.
Unfortunately, despite these adjustments, communication issues within the Steelers’ defense have persisted. These breakdowns have often led to costly errors during games, undermining the unit’s overall effectiveness. The expectation was that Sutton’s experience and leadership would help mitigate these problems, but the issues have instead become more pronounced in recent weeks.
The Steelers now find themselves at a crossroads, needing to address these lingering communication problems before they become a larger concern. Whether it involves refining their defensive strategies, improving on-field coordination, or finding new ways to leverage Sutton’s skill set, it is clear that action must be taken swiftly. Pittsburgh’s defense has shown flashes of potential, but without better cohesion and execution, the unit risks falling short of expectations in critical moments.
Looking ahead, the Steelers must strike a balance between relying on Sutton’s versatility and addressing the underlying communication issues that continue to plague the defense. With key matchups on the horizon, finding solutions to these problems will be crucial for the team’s success. The responsibility now lies with the coaching staff and players to come together, ensuring that the defense operates as a cohesive and effective unit moving forward.
BREAKING: Pittsburgh Steelers make unexpected huge change on defense
