Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin went back to his personal relationship with Sutton and the process of due diligence led the veteran cornerback back to Pittsburgh. This was enough for the Steelers to feel comfortable in bringing Sutton back.
"There are not any conversations that we had recently, it's the totality of our relationship," Tomlin said, via a Steelers transcript provided by the team. "I met this guy in Knoxville, man, six, seven years ago, whatever it was, when he came out of school. He's a great guy. He loves football.
"It's probably the totality of our relationship and I probably represent the sentiment of the organization and saying that it's less about specific conversations, particularly of late, and it's about the relationship established over a longer period of time."
The Steelers cornerback eventually surrendered to authorities and entered a pretrial diversion program after the charges were reduced from a felony to misdemeanor battery. Sutton was also required to take a mental health evaluation upon the agreement.
Sutton was signed by the Steelers to a one-year contract earlier this month. The Steelers are aware Sutton is subject to potential punishment by the league.
As Tomlin was asked if the Steelers are comfortable with their process, he responded the best way he could.
"That's just due diligence," Tomlin said. "That's what's supposed to happen. ... Obviously he's here."
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