Steelers' Levi Wallace Fits In For 2023, But Emerging Joey Porter Jr. Threatens His Long-Term Future In Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers got a nice first season from bargain free agent signing Levi Wallace in 2022. The veteran cornerback came over from the Buffalo Bills and showed off his ball-hawking skills leading the position with four interceptions last season while playing in 76% of defensive snaps. Pittsburgh just invested a pair of draft picks on Joey Porter Jr. and Cory Trice who've been praised for their work so far during the football-in-shorts portion of the offseason. This has some wondering where Wallace fits in. 

Team beat writer Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette does a weekly chat with readers on the publication's website and one questioner said they've been seeing shade thrown at Wallace and said that while they think he's a dependable player, not a star, wondered if Batko could explain where the hate is coming from. The veteran writer quickly jumped to the defense of the cornerback he called dependable and durable.

"We will NOT stand for Levi Wallace hate in this chat," he said. "He is, dare I say, damn solid when the ball comes his way. Dude has 11 picks over the last four years. Also one of the nicest and coolest guys in the locker room." 

The numbers in his career certainly back up the ball skills and it's not just the interceptions. Wallace has 31 passes defended in 38 starts in the last three seasons split between Pittsburgh and Buffalo. As for the durability question, he started all 17 games for the Bills in 2021 and started 16 for the team in 2019, but he did deal with a number of ailments in Pittsburgh. Before a Week 8 game, he'd already been ruled out due to a sprained shoulder, and he was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy after he noticed the left side of his face was drooping. He still managed to play in 15 games, starting in nine in 2022 and if can stay healthy, should be in a similar spot for 2023. 

How Getting Joey Porter Jr. With Pick 32 Put A Clock On Wallace's Playing Time

The Steelers didn't draft Porter to sit on the bench for his whole first season in the NFL and reports out of OTAs are that this kid is quickly getting acclimated to life at the NFL level. Wallace is getting the first-team reps on the right with Patrick Peterson taking the left corner spot at OTAs which is what Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said he expects to be the starting group in 2023 during a recent edition of The North Shore Drive Podcast. He questioned though how long Wallace will hold onto that job. 

"Wallace’s place in the playing rotation depends on when Porter is ready," he said. "I think he’s [Wallace] a good player, I just don’t think he’s going to be a long-term starter here in Pittsburgh because they got Porter with the 32nd overall pick."  

Even if he's not starting, Fittipaldo said he certainly sees a spot for Wallace on the team, especially if the team does explore using Peterson in the slot corner role. If Peterson is occupying the slot, it would likely mean Wallace and Porter become the outside corners. Fittipaldo said things are also so matchup dependent, but if the team is trying to have its best 11 on the field, Wallace has a better resume than Chandon Sullivan who the team is also looking at in a nickel or slot role.

There are certainly no guarantees as to what Wallace's future holds in Pittsburgh. If he has another solid season and wants to be back for a reasonable price tag as a veteran leader (but maybe not an everyday starter), that's something Pittsburgh should look at. If he has a solid season and another franchise wants to financially reward him for it, the team should probably let him walk with Peterson still signed for another and the young talent pushing for playing time. 

How long do you think Wallace can hold off Porter for playing time? Do you think he still has a role with the team if he loses his starting job? Comment below!

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