Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. was the most penalized cornerback in the NFL in 2024, drawing 17 penalties. Porter was called for six penalties, four of which were accepted, in the team's 44-38 win against the Bengals in Week 13. Bengals star wide receiver Tee Higgins gave Porter fits throughout the afternoon.
Porter finished the 2024 season with 70 total tackles and an interception while allowing 53 receptions for 653 yards on 79 targets in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus . It definitely wasn't a banner season for Porter after finishing fifth in the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year voting last season.
HBO's Hard Knocks captured Steelers secondary coach Grady Brown telling Porter in his exit meeting that he expects the Penn State product to take a leap in Year 3.
"We gotta tighten up on the 'my bads,'" Brown said . "Guys own their mistakes and that's critical. That's important. But the mistake can't happen. You got a blind confidence. You don't care who you gotta cover. You don't care what the score is of the game. It's your time to lead this defense. It's your time to be the dude."
Porter accepted Brown's challenge. He wants to be an entirely different player in 2025.
"I'm ready to be a new player when I come in," Porter said. "I'm gonna be a whole different me. In the classroom, on the field. I'm just ready to bring that to the team. Do as much as I can to get this [championship]."
With cornerbacks Donte Jackson and Cam Sutton struggled immensely down the stretch, it's expected that the Steelers will target a top-flight cornerback in the draft to pair with Porter.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. celebrates while a flag flies for defensive pass interference after he was called against Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 1, 2024., — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
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