Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. Believes He's Never Struggled Against Bengals' Ja’Marr Chase And Tee Higgins

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. came into the Steel City with a lot of expectations. Drafted by the Steelers in the second round, 32nd overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft, Porter immediately showed flashes of his immense potential. As a rookie, he impressed the organization with his athleticism, instincts, and ability to make plays in critical moments, quickly earning the trust of the coaching staff and establishing himself as a key piece of Pittsburgh’s secondary. His rookie season set the stage for what many believe could be a standout career in the NFL.

Porter has carried that momentum into his second year and now enters his third season with high stakes. Analysts and fans alike see 2025 as a potential career-altering campaign, one where Porter’s growth and consistency could define his trajectory in Pittsburgh. While his talent is undeniable, he has struggled with penalties at times, raising questions about his discipline in high-pressure situations. In one notable game against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024, Porter had six flags called on him, a performance that highlighted the fine line between aggressive playmaking and costly mistakes.

Despite those challenges, Porter remains confident in his abilities, particularly against top-tier competition. Speaking with Steelers insider Brian Batko on Monday, he revealed that he has never actually felt like he struggled when matched up against Bengals stars Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. 

"Honestly, I feel like I’ve never had any downs with either wide receiver," Porter told Batko while chatting with him on Monday afternoon.

Porter’s statement reflects both his self-belief and the mindset of a cornerback who is determined to rise above past mistakes. As Pittsburgh heads into a stretch filled with high expectations, all eyes will be on Porter to see if he can combine his potential with consistency and become one of the league’s elite cornerbacks. 

It all starts on Thursday night against the Bengals on the road. After Porter was flagged six times in that nightmare game against the Bengals in 2024, he vowed to improve via an article from Trib Live.

"I’m mad at it," Porter said of his six flags back in December 2024. "I’m trying to be great at the end of the day, and those flags kind of get in the way. But like ‘Coach T’ always says, if he’s not trippin’ and my team’s not mad about it, then I just gotta keep playing and doing my job."

After that game, the Steelers still came away with a hard-fought victory, but Porter wasn’t satisfied. He expressed frustration with the referees, claiming he felt the way flags were called was trying to alter his play. Regardless, he vowed to improve and stay true to his own game. 

Porter followed through on that promise, and now, after five games in the 2025 season, he is looking to build on his momentum with a shutdown performance against two of the NFL’s elite wide receivers. What was a rough outing in 2024 has become motivation, and Porter is determined to bounce back this Thursday.

Steelers Set To See Joe Flacco Once Again

The days when Joe Flacco was quarterbacking the Baltimore Ravens are long gone, but that does not mean he is finished facing the Steelers. In the 2024 season, the Steelers saw Flacco in action, and now they will face him again this Thursday. 

The Bengals, needing a boost at quarterback, traded to acquire Flacco, a move that Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin criticized the Cleveland Browns for. Now the Steelers will look to shut down Flacco once again and make a statement on the field.

Do you agree with Joey Porter Jr's sentiments about never having a bad game against Higgins and Chase? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me.

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