Ex-Steelers Slot CB Hints He’s Leaving Bengals, Could There Be a Pittsburgh Reunion?
Cincinnati Bengals slot corner Mike Hilton hinted on Monday that he’s leaving Cincy. Hilton wrote on X, “New opportunities always present themselves.”
With Hilton being an unrestricted free agent, it sure sounds like the Bengals did not offer him another contract.
Could a reunion with the Pittsburgh Steelers be in the cards? Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus believes so.
Cameron recently tabbed Pittsburgh as the best landing spot for Hilton in free agency.
“Hilton may be reaching his age-31 season, but he hasn’t slowed down yet, still producing as one of the NFL’s best slot defenders,” Cameron wrote. “The Steelers will need slot help after Cam Sutton’s departure, and given that Pittsburgh drafted Hilton back in 2017, a reunion may be in the cards.”
Hilton, who’s ranked as the 35th-best free agent by PFF, was with the Steelers from 2016-2020 before signing a a four-year, $24 million contract with the Bengals on March 19, 2021.
Beanie Bishop Jr. had a solid rookie season at the slot cornerback position, but he faded down the stretch along with the rest of the secondary. Adding Hilton would certainly bolster a secondary that had a slew of mental lapses during the five-game losing streak to end the season.
Bishop also has a similar playing style to Hilton, so the veteran would be a good mentor for the young defensive back out of WVU.
Bishop revealed last minicamp that he was watching film on Hilton. Hilton has become the gold standard for slot corners. Like Bishop, Hilton went undrafted, too.
“Mike Hilton, that’s kind of the prototype for the slot corner,” Bishop said. “I’ll go and watch some of his tape and things like that. Guys tell me to watch his tape and just go look at how they want the nickel to play here.”
Hilton turns 31 on March 9, but he’s still playing at a high level. In 2024, Hilton’s 75.9 PFF grade ranked 23rd out of 223 cornerbacks in the NFL.
Hilton had 73 tackles, five passes defended and an interception last year for the Bengals, his second straight season with at least 70 tackles. In his career, Hilton has recorded 13 interceptions, 56 passes defended, 520 tackles (396 solo), 66 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries.
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