Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. Has Worst Possible Case Scenario Emerge For Week 12 Versus Bears

The Pittsburgh Steelers don't have an easy schedule for the remainder of the 2025 season. The first test will come on the road against the Chicago Bears, a team that has completely turned around in Ben Johnson's first year at the helm. For Mike Tomlin and co., it has been a year of being both inconsistent and opportunistic. Sitting at 6-4, traveling to an NFC foe's house and coming up with a victory versus a 7-3 squad would go a long way. The status for Aaron Rodgers remains up in the air, but the defense will also play a key role in the contest. 

Tomlin's defensive unit has had games when it has looked like the group could be the league's best. There have been other matchups that displayed the exact opposite. One of the more intriguing areas to keep an eye on is the secondary, with Joey Porter Jr. leading the cornerbacks after having a stout performance against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11.

Porter eligible for a new contract in the 2026 offseason, which means every game means something for him. If he wants to cash it on a lucrative extension, he will need to keep performing at a high level, and consistently at that. His biggest weakness since arriving in the NFL has been his inability to avoid officials. He is often flagged for defensive pass interference and holding penalties that end up hurting the team one way or another.

In Week 12, John Hussey and his crew will be on the call in Chicago. The officiating assignments for all of the league's contests were announced on Wednesday morning.

The group has a pretty standard trend when it comes to home and away teams, calling it fairly evenly, but it is the focus on the defense that could come back to bite the Steelers and Porter. Hussey and co. are at the bottom half of the league when it comes to total penalties called; however, they remain at the very top in relation to pass interference, ranking seventh with 13 total calls in just nine contests.

Referees constantly have eyes on them because of so many inconsistencies that come with officiating NFL games. With the amount of cameras and media attention that focus on professional football, it's hard to forget sometimes that these individuals are trying to call everything as it happens live. Regardless, Steelers fans will not be happy if Porter gets called for any questions pass interferences, especially after he wasn't flagged in Week 11.

During Ray Fittipaldo's fan chat on Tuesday, he was asked about Porter's past struggles against the Bengals and if it was the first time the corner hadn't been flagged while playing against the AFC North rival. It was acknowledged that he had a phenomenal outing versus Cincinnati.

"I do believe that's the case. I think he had six in the previous two games against them," Fittipaldo wrote.

That is a major improvement that needs to be acknowledged, but the defender will have his hands full as the Bears offense features top young talent, including Rome Odunze. Hussey's crew may not always be inclined to throw flags; however, the unit seems very quick to call out a cornerback that may be getting a little too aggressive on passing plays. Porter has four defensive pass interference penalties in 2025, which is at the top of the league.

Steelers Have Very Tough Decision To Make On Porter

Pittsburgh will likely attempt to extend Porter come the 2026 offseason. The cornerback's ties to the organization may allow the front office to get away with offering him a little bit less than market value; although, free agency has been a very competitive space. If the defender feels as though the team is not valuing him enough, he will play out the 2026 season and look to cash in come 2027.

Do you think that the Steelers and Porter are paying close attention to Hussey's tendencies? Let us know in the comments below!

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