Steelers’ Joey Porter Jr proclaims himself as top 5 cornerback
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 12: Joey Porter Jr. #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on from the field during an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium on January 12, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesPittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. had one of the best seasons of anyone at his position in 2025.
In 524 coverage snaps, he allowed just 32 receptions on 64 targets with zero touchdowns and a passer rating of just 61.5, per Next Gen Stats. Despite that, Porter still feels disrespected by people who critique him and say he gets too many penalties, and he let that be known on The Blueprint Podcast
That's what people really harp on my game about, is the PI's and penalties," Porter said. But it's like, y'all hold no other DB under that microscope or grade them under just [how many penalties they get]. I haven't gave up a touchdown in three years. Not one. No wide receiver put over 50, 60 yards on my head alone. And I travel with the best of them. And they want to talk about penalties."
Porter also made note that his penalties were way down in 2025 compared to where they were in 2024, and anyone saying he isn't a top five cornerback because of penalties is crazy.
Even to bring up penalties this year - I had five, which equaled out to 50-something yards," Porter noted. You're saying I'm not top 5 because I had 50 yards in penalties? Like that's crazy."
It's hard to argue with Porter's case of being a top five cornerback, at least off last year's production.
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