Longtime NFL cornerback Mike Hilton signed a new contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. The terms of the deal are not yet known. Hilton spent the 2020 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The #Bengals aren’t done. They’re signing former #Steelers CB Mike Hilton, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2021
Mike Hilton, ***TEAM***, Agree to Contract
In 2020 Mike Hilton put together a season that many teams will have taken notice of. Despite missing four games through injury, Hilton racked up 42 solo tackles, forced a fumble, and recorded three interceptions on the year. More than just his stats he was a valuable asset for the Steelers defense and it was noticeable in the four games he wasn’t there.
2020 was a stellar year for the Nickelback he twice led the Steelers defense in tackles. In Week Two, he led the team with eight tackles and recorded his first sack of the year as well as his first fumble recovery. In Week Three, he continued to bolster his stats by adding his first interception of the season when he picked off Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson.
He would lead the Steelers in tackles again in their Week Five victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Once again finishing with eight tackles and a sack. It was Week 16 however where Mike Hilton had his best game of the 2020 season. Playing against the Indianapolis Colts in what had become a must-win game for the Steelers, Hilton ran the defense. He totaled four tackles, recovered a fumble (that was a few yards from becoming a defensive touchdown) and he had an interception of Philip Rivers that sealed the game. Earning him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
In the 2020 season, whilst covering the slot, Mike Hilton allowed a passer rating of 59.9. This was the lowest rating allowed among cornerbacks with at least 150 slot coverage snaps.
Prior to finding a home with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike Hilton went undrafted in the 2016 draft before being signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was later released as part of the final roster cuts before the start of the season. The New England Patriots then picked him up only to release him eight days later. It took until December 2016 for Mike Hilton to be signed with the Steelers. Since then he worked hard and earned himself a spot on their roster as a valued member of the defense.
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