Pittsburgh Steelers' Legend Assured Joey Porter Jr. Can Bring Back Old-School Football In 2023

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a long and storied history of vicious and fearful players headlining their defense. They have countless Hall Of Fame players that contributed to Super Bowl winning teams dating all the way back to when the Steel Curtain ruled the NFL in the 1970s. The Steelers have always been known as a team that plays smash mouth football, especially on the defensive side. Former Steelers' cornerback, Ike Taylor, believes that rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr will bring that same mentality to the Steelers throughout his career in Pittsburgh. 

Taylor's High Hopes For Joey Porter Jr

Taylor spent his entire 12-year NFL career playing for the Steelers. He was a member of both Super Bowl winning teams in the 2000s. Taylor was also a lock down corner for the 2008 Steelers' defense, which is widely considered one of the best defenses in league history. He played with James Harrison, Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark, among others, who were all members of some of the most effective and feared defenses the league has seen thanks to their hard hitting and free-flying play style. 

Due to Taylor's resume of playing with some of the most feared players in history, and doing it all under defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, who was known for his love of blitzing and his old school mentality, it's safe to say he knows what it is to play smash mouth, old school football. On an episode of Taylor's podcast Bleav In Steelers, Taylor says Porter Jr. will be able to bring this same mentality to the Steelers because of the way he grew up. 

"He's the closest thing to a Rooney. Born in the city of Pittsburgh, grew up in the time when we were winning Super Bowls. Grew up in the time when we were playing old school, smash mouth football and thats all JPJ knew at the time. It makes sense why we would get JPJ. He was born in it."

This is obviously high praise for Porter Jr. coming from a former Steeler, and one that he grew up watching play with his dad. Porter Jr. idolized Taylor so much growing up that he decided to wear the same jersey number as him (#24) as a way to honor to honor Taylor. Now, Taylor is given the opportunity to watch Porter Jr. play with the Steelers. Taylor discussed how there shouldn't be too much of a transition for Porter Jr., as he grew up with the organization and understands what it is to be a Steeler.

"It's perfect for JPJ, he's gonna come in and already know what it means to be a Steeler. You ain't gotta explain or tell him the tradition. He grew up in it. He's been around the expectations."

Porter Jr. grew up watching and being around the Steelers' teams that his dad was a part of from 1999 through 2006. He was able to witness the Super Bowl winning team from 2005, and teams that made it far in the playoffs the year prior. The Steelers have a tradition of winning, which gets talked about a lot every football season due to Head Coach Mike Tomlin not having a losing season in his career as a Head Coach. Porter Jr. will be joining this team with a winning mentality and a good grasp of what it means to be Steeler and the important tradition of winning.

Porter Jr. will likely be getting a lot of playing time in his rookie year. He will be competing with Levi Wallace, Patrick Peterson and seventh-round draft steal, Cory Trice Jr. for a starting position. It has been rumored that Peterson was getting a lot of reps at the slot corner position throughout the teams 2023 Organized Team Activities (OTAs), which opens the door for Porter Jr. to start at outside corner come Week 1. 

Porter Jr. being raised in Pittsburgh around the Steelers' culture and being a beneficiary from the tutelage of the future Hall Of Famer, Peterson, along with having an opportunity to start right away has Porter Jr. poised for a great career in Pittsburgh. 

How do you think Porter Jr. growing up around the Steelers will effect his career Steeler Nation? Let us know in the comments below!

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