The Pittsburgh Steelers nonetheless have a necessity for one more large receiver and will theoretically use one other veteran tight finish after the lack of Donald Parham Jr. throughout Organized Crew Actions to a torn Achilles, so GM Omar Khan isn’t completed but tinkering with the roster.
May that tinkering between now and the beginning of coaching camp at Saint Vincent School in Latrobe on July 24 contain a reunion with a well-recognized face?
For Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, it might make some sense because the Steelers have a necessity — on paper — at slot cornerback and former Steelers slot cornerback Mike Hilton stays a free agent. In a bit for Bleacher Report, Knox named the Steelers as a logical touchdown spot for Hilton.
“Hilton spent his first 4 seasons in Pittsburgh, and the Steelers look like all-in on the 2025 season after signing quarterback Aaron Rodgers,” Knox writes. “They need to be enthusiastic about including nook depth for the upcoming marketing campaign, and Hilton could be an improve over second-year slot nook Beanie Bishop Jr.”
With the addition of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, it’s clear the Steelers imagine they’ll compete this season, so including a veteran slot cornerback who’s confirmed within the NFL makes some sense, if the Steelers had been to go in that course.
They’re fairly conversant in Hilton, too. He spent the primary 4 years of his profession with the Steelers, taking part in in 59 video games with 20 begins, recording 237 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 36 tackles for loss, and 7 interceptions.
He by no means made a Professional Bowl throughout his time in Pittsburgh, however he turned a really invaluable piece for the Steelers, permitting Pittsburgh to stay in sub-package soccer with out sacrificing something in opposition to the run as a consequence of Hilton’s presence within the slot.
After 4 years in Pittsburgh, Hilton went to the Cincinnati Bengals and helped cause them to a Tremendous Bowl look, however lately his play has declined, and he stays a free agent for a motive coming into his age 31 season. Regardless of having 12 tackles for loss final season for the Bengals, Hilton fell aside in protection, permitting 41 receptions for 356 yards and three touchdowns.
Although he wasn’t examined down the sphere a lot final season, Hilton struggled with the quick-hitting stuff, giving up far too many simple completions as quarterbacks had a score of 92.0 when focusing on him.
Touchdown again in Pittsburgh makes some sense given its uncertainty on the slot cornerback place. However his struggles in protection and his age makes it impossible the Steelers even kick the tires, particularly as they proceed to develop Beanie Bishop Jr. in Yr 2, and drafted Donte Kent out of Central Michigan within the seventh spherical.
Veteran free agent signee Brandin Echols is even an choice within the slot regardless of restricted expertise there, so the Steelers may not have as massive of a necessity within the slot as many make it out to be. Whereas it could possibly be enjoyable to have a Hilton reunion in Pittsburgh late in his profession, letting him hunt across the line of scrimmage and assault downhill once more, the Steelers shouldn’t do this on the expense of Bishop or Kent’s improvement this season.
