The Bengals finished off the revamping of their starting secondary that began last year in free agency when they added their second starting cornerback in four hours Tuesday as they reportedly agreed to terms with one of the league’s best slot men and a respected division foe in the Steelers’ Mike Hilton.
According to multiple reports, Hilton agreed on a four-year deal on the same day reports had them locking up veteran starting cornerback Chidobe Awuze on a three-year contract. That came the morning after they reached the club-record four-year, $60 million contract with former Saints edge rusher Trey Hendrickson on Monday night.
Deals can’t be announced by the club until Wednesday at 4 p.m.
The Bengals now go into Opening Day with their three top cornerbacks all brand new in free agency. Hilton could line up inside or outside Awuze and Trae Waynes, one of last year’s free-agent prizes who never got on the field because of an injured shoulder.
The 5-9, 184-pound Hilton, 27, earned a feisty and tenacious rep during his four seasons in Pittsburgh he started 20 of 59 games. Pro Football Focus rates him as a solid all-around cover and run player and an excellent blitzer with 9.5 sacks spiced with seven interceptions.
