Steelers' Cam Heyward Is Certainly "Trying To Bring [Joey Porter Jr] Out Of His Shell" Like His Father In 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a large group of former star players that bring unique personalities to the team. As it was displayed on the HBO Max Hard Knocks series, Joey Porter Sr was a guy who always brought the energy to the field. Porter spent his first eight NFL seasons in the black and gold and quickly became a high-end talent at outside linebacker. Porter's big personality fit perfectly with a Pittsburgh defense that traditionally played extremely tough, and now his son, Joey Porter Jr, has the same opportunity that his father once did. 

Porter Jr just wrapped up his second season in Pittsburgh after the organization selected him in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Porter Jr quickly became the obvious number one cornerback on the Steelers' roster last season and has remained as their top outside defender. Penalties became a glaring issue this season, but he was top-notch in coverage all year long. 

As the father and son duo got the spotlight for one of the Hard Knocks episodes, the personality differences between the two became evident. Porter Jr appears to be much more to himself, while his father isn't afraid to speak his mind. With a large portion of the NFL community appearing at Radio Row in New Orleans ahead of the Super Bowl, star defender Cam Heyward was in the middle of an interview before Porter Sr joined in and was asked about his son.

"Well, they're completely different," Heyward said comparing the two. "This one talks way more than his son. So, trying to bring him out of his shell a little bit more."

Porter Sr was then asked if Heyward's remarks about his son are true. 

"One hundred percent. Like, he just wants to play and talk on there, but like, in his natural setting of conversation, he's not the jitterbug like me. I can lead the conversation with no questions asked. You've got to kind of talk to him if you want to answer. If you don't say anything, he's just gonna sit there. I came in [always talking] because I'm always looking for why. So, I'm always going to ask a question. Right or wrong, I've always heard there's no such thing as a bad question. I'm that guy who's gonna ask a whole lot of them."

The two were also asked about this weekend's Super Bowl matchup, but neither seem truly interested in the contest after how horribly Pittsburgh's season ended. 

The 2023 NFL Draft became a very special memory for the Porter family when the organization took Porter Jr with the first pick of the second round. Porter was disappointed that he wasn't taken in the first round as one of the best cornerbacks coming out of college, but it all played out perfectly for he and his father. 

Porter and the Pittsburgh defense will now turn their attention to the 2025 season and prepare for another exciting year in the Steel City. 

Steelers Need To Add Cornerback Help Behind Joey Porter Jr. In 2025 Offseason

A daunting task for the Steelers over the course of the upcoming offseason will be looking for a new cornerback addition. The Steelers could use help on both the outside and slot corner spots with Donte Jackson possibly not returning. Pittsburgh has struggled finding solid cornerbacks in recent years, and Porter has been the only one that's truly worked out. 

What do you think about how the two Porters differ? How can the Steelers get some more help in the back end of the defense to assist Porter who is leading the way? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

#SteelerNation