Behind the Steel Curtain
A Mike Hilton reunion and three other bargain free agent ideas for the Steelers.
With offseason rosters expanded to 90 players, it’s slim pickings in the NFL free agent market. However, teams continually tweak their rosters throughout the offseason.
With that in mind, here are four current budget free agents the Steelers could have some interest in over the upcoming months.
Note: This list isn’t players who I think Pittsburgh should sign, necessarily — just names that I think the Steelers could have interest in. And remember the “budget” part of the headline — for this exercise, I tried to avoid big names who have been frequently listed as potential fits for the team such as Keenan Allen, Gabe Davis, and Amari Cooper.
Undrafted in 2016, Hilton became an underdog success story with the Steelers in following seasons, starting at nickel cornerback and becoming a fan-favorite with his feisty style of play.
However, the Steelers ultimately let Hilton walk in free agency following the 2020 season, and the 5’9, 184-pound corner signed with Pittsburgh’s AFC North rival, the Cincinnati Bengals. Hilton has been in Cincinnati since, where he’s continued to start in the nickel. He was also a contributor in the Bengals’ 2021 season that ended with a Super Bowl berth.
Pittsburgh, on the other hand, has struggled to find consistent play in the slot since.
Now 31 years old, Hilton is back on the free agent market. He’s coming off another year as a starter, and his run defense and blitzing remain among the best at his position. However, he’s never been an elite cover corner, and his fluidity hasn’t improved with age.
In 2024, Hilton had the second-most tackles of his career with 73, and he tied a career high with 12 tackles for loss. However, he allowed the second-worst passer rating of his career at 92.0.
Still unsigned, Hilton could command starting money, but nothing exorbitant. He’s not a high-level defender at this stage in his career, but the Steelers could be interested in a reunion given his experience and past success with the team.
With Brandin Echols playing at outside cornerback to start the offseason, the Steelers’ nickel competition has been between Beanie Bishop Jr. and Donte Kent in OTAs so far.
Bishop could take a big leap in his second season or Kent could surprise, but at the moment, slot corner is looking like the weakest spot on an otherwise star-studded Pittsburgh defense. Remember, Bishop was benched for Cam Sutton midway through last season.
Another question is if Hilton would even want to return to Pittsburgh. He wasn’t signed to a long term deal in 2020 despite how well he performed, and he’s since played for a hated rival for the last four years.
However, Hilton’s quiet free agent market might mean he’s interested in a return to the franchise that jump started his NFL career in the first place.
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