The more time and experience a player gets in the NFL, the better. For Pittsburgh Steelers third-year cornerback Joey Porter Jr., all the experience he’s racked up is starting to pay off, both on and off the field.
Quietly, Porter is playing some very good football. He made the game-saving play in Week 14 against the Baltimore Ravens, knocking the ball out of Isaiah Likely’s hands just before the Ravens tight end took his third step in the end zone, negating a touchdown.
He’s shown up time and time again in big spots against the Ravens, and last Sunday was no different. Though he had two penalties in the game, Porter continues to play good football and has helped stabilize the Steelers’ secondary.
For defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, who spoke to reporters Thursday, that’s a testament to Porter’s growth off the field. The biggest improvement the longtime defensive coach is seeing with his young cornerback is the preparation outside of the game.
“I think you get in your third year, and you start to develop a feel for the game, start to know what works for you, and sometimes knowing what your faults are and trying to stay away from those. I think he’s done a better job during the course of the week as you grow in preparing and what you need to do to get yourself ready for games,” Austin said of Porter, according to the official transcript provided by the team. “I think that’s why you probably seen a little uptick in his coverage. I know he had a couple of penalties last week, but you don’t see as many as you had in the past.
“So, I think that’s all part of the growth process with him.”
While Porter has had all the talent in the world, the real growth and the next step to take in his career was always between the ears at such a demanding position. Based on Austin’s comments, he’s doing that with his preparation leading into games.
Though Porter is still a bit too physical in coverage and continues to get called for penalties, he’s played well this season. Porter has allowed just 23 receptions on 40 targets for 204 yards. He hasn’t allowed a touchdown this season, has one interception and nine pass breakups, too.
The only real flaw in Porter’s game is the penalties. He’s had eight called against him this season, and while that’s down from the 15 he had i 2024, it’s still a high number. But you take the good with the bad with Porter. He’s a long, physical corner who plays a certain style. How he is officiated depends on the crews that game.
But it’s very encouraging to hear that he’s making major improvement during the week from a preparation standpoint. It’s starting to show on the field, and he’s shaken off a tough start to the season to become a key defensive piece down the stretch.
Hopefully that growth continues and Porter puts himself in position to be a Steeler long term.
