The Pittsburgh Steelers and Head Coach Mike Tomlin are well known for loving a good pedigree story. They have had more brothers, family members, and sons of former players than can easily be kept track of. Tomlin has been quite open about feeling that those players are better prepared for their time in the league than a player who doesn't have that lineage.
Danny Karnik / Associated Press
Steelers' Cameron Heyward hugs his brother Connor Heyward.
That includes the Steelers' second-year cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who is, not surprisingly, the son of Joey Porter Sr. The senior Porter played linebacker for the Steelers for eight years and then later returned to coach for his former team. Porter Jr. grew up inside the Steelers facilities, giving him unique insight.
When it was time for the younger Porter to enter the NFL Draft out of Penn State, most Steelers fans were clamoring for the team to consider drafting him in the first round. That didn't happen. Instead, Pittsburgh chose offensive tackle Broderick Jones, and Yinzers everywhere cried out in dismay, thinking that another team would snatch up their hometown guy.
Fate smiled on the Steel City, and the Steelers were able to grab him with their second-round selection. Since most of Pittsburgh always assumed Porter would stay in his hometown, the assumption has always been that he felt he would as well, but apparently, that wasn't the case. Recently, Porter joined his teammate Cameron Heyward on his podcast Not Just Football with Cam Heyward. Heyward asked Porter if he always felt in his gut that he would end up in black and gold.
"Not one time," said Porter emphatically. "It was crazy, everybody would tell me and I'm like, 'No, you're just saying that.'"
Heyward was shocked. He said he couldn't believe that Porter didn't think he would play in Pittsburgh. He said he always knew because Tomlin told Heyward once, "I'm gonna get that boy 'cause I'm going to put him up against GP [George Pickens] every single day."
AP
Steelers receiver George Pickens and cornerback Joey Porter Jr are providing each other stiff competition.
While that has come true, Porter has been consistently matched up against Pickens over the past two years. He still didn't buy Heyward's story. He told him that Tomlin must have the best poker face in the world.
"Mike T., like he could have fooled me for real," said Porter. "When I was at the [NFL] Combine, I seen him in the hallway, I was like, 'Oh, what's good, Unc,' he walked right past me. I was like, 'Ok, that was what it was, wow.'"
Porter shouldn't be questioning Tomlin's ability to play it cool. He does it every week during press conferences, as he gets hammered by the media. While he has only been with the Steelers for a season, Porter has already proven to be quite a force on the field.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
Steelers' Cory Trice Ready To Prove Himself
Cory Trice Jr. joined Porter on Heyward's show. He was also a 2023 draft pick in the seventh round out of Purdue. He and Porter have similar builds and looks and they both have that elite length for a corner, which has led to them being called "The Avatars."
Unfortunately, Trice was sidelined for the entire regular season after he tore his ACL in training camp last year. It was a devastating blow considering that he had been having a solid performance in camp, across from Porter until then.
But now, Trice is back with his partner and doing all he can to show the coaches that he is 100% healthy and possesses the abilities to help his team. Recently Trice spoke with the media after a day of practice and said that he will play anywhere the team needs him to, he just wants to contribute.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers second-year players Cory Trice Jr. and Joey Porter Jr.
After struggling in the secondary during 2023, the Steelers partially revamped the cornerback room by re-signing Cam Sutton. Sutton is currently suspended after being arrested for domestic violence. The eight-game suspension gives Trice a serious advantage. If he can show Tomlin and the defensive coaches while Sutton is out that he can stay healthy and hold his own against receivers, he just might find himself a home in Pittsburgh.
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