Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. enters the 2025 season with a clear goal in mind: cleaning up his technique and reducing the penalties that plagued him during a rocky 2024 campaign. While Porter showed flashes of top-tier coverage ability, his frequent infractions became a costly issue for both himself and the team.
"The little things that I need to clean up in my technique, and I feel like I've been working on that this whole offseason, so I'm just really just excited to put that on tape," Porter said.
Porter's handsy play style led to a number of penalties, including a particularly rough outing in Week 13 against the Bengals, where he was flagged six times. He was also penalized three times each in games against the Broncos and Commanders . In total, Porter was responsible for 137 penalty yards in 2024, one of the highest marks among defensive backs in the league.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. against the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 1, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Despite those setbacks, Porter's talent remains undeniable. A physical press-man corner with rare length and agility, he has consistently held his own in tight coverage. According to StatMuse.com, he has yet to allow a single touchdown in man coverage through two NFL seasons, a testament to his natural ability and competitive mindset.
Originally selected with the 32nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Penn State, Porter came into the league with high expectations, not only because of his college tape but also due to his legacy. His father, Joey Porter Sr., was a standout linebacker and Super Bowl champion for the Steelers, making Joey Jr.'s rise a continuation of a proud family tradition in Pittsburgh.
Looking ahead to 2025, Porter is in position to take a significant step forward. The addition of veteran cornerback Darius Slay , a Super Bowl champion and former All-Pro, gives the Steelers' secondary a much-needed presence of experience and leadership. Having a seasoned player like Slay around could serve as a valuable resource for Porter as he continues to mature and refine the finer points of his game.
If Porter can limit the penalties and improve his technique, especially with his hands at the top of routes, he has all the tools to become the lockdown corner Pittsburgh hoped for when they drafted him. With two years of experience under his belt and strong mentorship now in place, 2025 could be the year Porter fully arrives.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Joey Porter Jr. Focused on Fixing Technique, Reducing Penalties in 2025
