New Lions CB Cam Sutton Ready to Lead Secondary

Cam Sutton is embracing a leadership role with his new team.

The Detroit Lions made a significant upgrade to their secondary early in free agency. 

To start one of the biggest segments of the NFL offseason, which officially began Wednesday, Lions general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell signed cornerback Cam Sutton to a three-year, $33 million contract with $22.5 million guaranteed. 

Heading into his seventh year in the NFL, he'll be one of the most experienced players on Detroit's roster. In fact, no other cornerback currently on the team has played more than four seasons. 

With that experience comes a leadership role that Sutton is willing to take head on.

"It's going to be beyond the game and production of the game, you know, all those values of the game," Sutton said. "But just really embracing that real leadership role. You know, I've been around plenty of great leaders throughout the years, even in my own position groups who have really molded my game, really molded how you have carried myself as an individual just overall. Not just the players, coaches, everywhere, and just really embracing that role.

"It's all about what we make this thing man and I'm big on just being together," Sutton continued. "Spending time together just figuring out how the organization, how the guys move on a day to day basis and you know all the small things like that lead into game week into into games and the year, that comfortability."

Cornerback Cam Sutton / © Sam Greene-USA TODAY Sports

Versatility in the secondary

Detroit's newest defensive back has been trending upward in recent years. He first became a starter for the Steelers in 2020, where he started six games. 

The six-year veteran has since started 31 games over the past two seasons. He was the seventh-highest graded Steelers defender in 2022, receiving a 71.6 overall grade. 

He was effective in coverage as well. Per NFL's Next Gen Stats, the 28-year-old allowed a 44.4 percent completion rate on passes thrown his way in 2022. That mark ranks tied for fourth-lowest in a season since 2016. 

The corner is a versatile player with the ability to play both inside and outside positions. Last season, he played 655 snaps as a wide cornerback and 185 in the slot. 

He admitted that versatility is a strong part of his game and part of what led the Lions to pursue him in free agency. 

"They really love my versatility and flexibility and just being able to impact and compete," he said. "That's what it's about. Just going out there, I keep saying it, just give me a place to stand. Just give me a stance of, lining the ball up, down in, down out. Being able to communicate, people to your left, people to your right, that's always special." 

The Lions' early, strong pursuit

Sutton was one of the first players to agree to a contract during the early tampering period. He said the Lions pursued him quickly, and they were able to come to a deal early in the process. 

"Detroit, the family, they came strong, man," the cornerback said. "It just made sense, you know what I mean? Just from the top down, the organization, Sheila (Hamp), Mr. Holmes, D.C., they all have a vision, they all carry themselves in a manner that I've been around long enough in this game to appreciate." 

Campbell has impressed the national circles with his determination and commitment to building a culture. Though Sutton isn't quite familiar with it yet, he has appreciated what the head coach has done from afar.

"I've been around the league and seen what he's done around the league, and it's exhilarating, man" the veteran said. "Guys love this guy. It's not just me speaking, but you see the spirit far spread around the league, you know what I mean? Guys want to play for him. Guys want to, they just love his energy and just everything he brings to the game. He's passionate, he's gonna be always passionate about what he does." 

One of his first goals is to find a new jersey number, as his trademark No. 20 is retired in honor of legendary running back Barry Sanders. He told reporters he plans to try and wear No. 6.