Steelers Now
With training camp fast approaching and quarterback Aaron Rodgers officially putting pen to paper, the Pittsburgh Steelers can now shift their focus to fine-tuning other areas of the roster. One name that stands out as a potential late addition is a familiar face, cornerback Mike Hilton.
In a recent article, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox floated the possibility of a Hilton reunion, writing:
“Hilton spent his first four seasons in Pittsburgh, and the Steelers appear to be all-in on the 2025 season after signing quarterback Aaron Rodgers. They should be interested in adding corner depth for the upcoming campaign, and Hilton would be an upgrade over second-year slot corner Beanie Bishop Jr.”
It’s a move that would make plenty of sense. While Bishop flashed at times, most notably with a two-interception performance against the Jets, his inconsistencies became more apparent as the season wore on. By late December, he had fallen out of the rotation entirely and didn’t log a single snap in the Christmas Day matchup against the Chiefs, signaling that the staff may not view him as a long-term answer in the slot.
Hilton’s story is one of perseverance. Undrafted out of Ole Miss, he bounced around practice squads before landing in Pittsburgh, where he finally found his footing. Over four seasons with the Steelers, Hilton recorded 225 tackles, 32 pass breakups, and seven interceptions, earning a reputation as one of the league’s most reliable and physical nickel defenders.
After a successful four-year run in Cincinnati, the Bengals opted not to re-sign him this offseason. Still, Hilton proved he could play at a high level, earning a 75.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus in 2024, ranking 22nd among 222 qualified cornerbacks.
The Steelers already made a splash by adding veteran Darius Slay and will rely heavily on Joey Porter Jr. on the outside. But with a clear need for a proven slot corner, and Hilton still available, the door is wide open for a potential reunion.
If Pittsburgh is truly “all-in” on 2025, as many believe, bringing back Hilton could be a savvy, win-now move that shores up one of the few remaining question marks on the roster.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Homecoming in the Cards for Former Steelers Cornerback?
