The Pittsburgh Steelers have been putting in serious work this offseason to get ready for what’s shaping up to be a highly competitive year. They play in one of the most physical divisions in the entire NFL, where every matchup feels like a battle. The rivalries in the AFC North are fierce and deeply rooted, and yet that didn’t stop Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase from giving some surprising praise to the Steelers’ cornerback group.
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Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase pulls in a pass.
Despite being on opposite sides of a heated rivalry, Chase recently acknowledged the talent of the Steelers' secondary in a recent interview. During his appearance on The Sitdown w/ Malik Wright, Chase was asked to name his top five cornerbacks in the NFL. Instead of listing all five, Chase stopped at four and notably, three of the players he mentioned were players on the Steelers.
"Joey Porter [Jr. is] pretty smooth. He’s just long," Chase said. "It’s going to be fun going against [Jalen] Ramsey and Darius Slay. I had an opportunity to go against [Slay] this last year and [Ramsey] my rookie year. That’s four. I’m going to go with four."
Chase previously mentioned Denzel Ward of the Cleveland Browns as the final member of his list. Regardless, the Steelers have been hard at work improving their roster this offseason, making significant upgrades on both offense and defense. Notably, both Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay are among the new additions. As seasoned veterans, each brings a lot of experience and excitement about the impact they could have on the team’s overall performance.
These veteran additions bring not only high-level talent but also valuable experience and leadership to the Steelers' secondary. As seasoned veterans, their presence will strengthen the overall depth of the unit while also creating an ideal learning environment for younger players like Joey Porter Jr. This mix of proven leadership and youthful potential creates a strong foundation for long-term growth and success in the Steelers' defensive backfield.
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Steelers' Darius Slay during mandatory minicamp in 2025.
This approach appears to be part of Steelers General Manager Omar Khan’s overall strategy this offseason. The team is aiming to stay competitive while at the same time rebuilding, a balance that few organizations can do successfully. Khan has earned praise for his willingness to bring in veteran talent on short-term deals while remaining flexible and not overly attached, allowing the team to adapt quickly if things don’t go as planned.
Players like Porter Jr. represent a bright future for the Steelers. Having the opportunity to spend this season surrounded by seasoned veterans with proven track records provides invaluable experience that will benefit the team long-term. While many of the veteran contracts may be short-term, their influence on the development of younger players will have a lasting impact. It’s no surprise that elite receivers like Chase are starting to recognize the growing talent and depth within Pittsburgh’s secondary this year.
Steelers Will Face Chase And The Bengals At Least Twice This Year
As division rivals, the Steelers are guaranteed to face the Bengals at least twice this season. Given that Pittsburgh matched up with another AFC North rival the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs last year, there’s always the possibility of a third meeting down the line. However, one thing is certain, that every Steelers and Bengals matchup is sure to bring intensity, rivalry, and excitement.
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Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. makes a tackle during Week 13 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The rivalry between the Steelers and Bengals is already intense, but Chase’s big personality, both on and off the field, that adds even more energy to the matchups. Beyond just divisional competition, the newly revamped Steelers roster is under a lot of pressure to perform. After last season’s tough playoff loss to the Ravens, Pittsburgh is focused on staying competitive in one of the NFL’s toughest divisions.
After all, winning the division guarantees a playoff spot, and for the Steelers, securing that first step is crucial. They’re looking to break the pattern of early playoff exits in recent years and make a deeper, more meaningful run this season.
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