Cam Sutton: Lions Want to Make Teams 'Pay for Little Mistakes'

The Lions defense is going to become a physical force.

Detroit Lions cornerback Cam Sutton has his sights set on “punishing” opponents during the 2023 season.

Sutton, who spent the first six seasons of his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is coming off a career-best campaign, in which he recorded career-high marks in both interceptions (three) and passes defensed (15). He was inked to a three-year, $33 million contract by Detroit general manager Brad Holmes during the early portion of free agency this offseason.

Sutton believes that he and his new Lions teammates will bring a “physical” brand of football to the table during the upcoming season.

“From a defensive side, you’ve got a lot of physical guys, a lot of hungry guys who want to get after the ball, make plays on the ball from all different levels,” Sutton told reporters at the conclusion of Thursday’s OTAs practice. “A very communicative group, like I said, a very high-energy group. Like I said, you need that, that tenacity. You need that vicious mindset every time you attack the field and your opponent.”

Along with bringing in Sutton, Holmes added Emmanuel Moseley and C.J. Gardner-Johnson – both also via free agency – to Detroit’s defensive backs room earlier this offseason. Just like Sutton, Moseley and Gardner-Johnson each picked off at least one pass during the 2022 campaign. Gardner-Johnson, in fact, notched a career-best six interceptions.

Cam Sutton and Brian Branch at Detroit Lions OTAs :: © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Lions’ 2023 defensive backs group will also feature second-year safety Kerby Joseph, who produced four interceptions as a rookie.

Undeniably, the position group has the makings of a turnover-producing one. Sutton echoes the sentiment, believing that Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn’s scheme will put the group in position to frequently make plays and force turnovers.

“I think it’s more advantageous to making plays on the ball, being able to see the ball, being able to get after the quarterback,” Sutton said of Glenn’s scheme. “I think we have a really good push up front. I think we have a group that really just (has) tenacity. You know what I mean? We have a group that is really fiery and wants to get after guys. And, it’s just about making teams pay. Making them pay for little mistakes. Making the plays that we’re supposed to make. And you know, just punishing guys, you know, every time they touch the ball. And, that just sends a message, (and) not just for the first week, but through 17 weeks and beyond.”