Steelers' Joey Porter Jr Gets Powerful Warning From Ben Roethlisberger About Asante Samuel Jr

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2026 offseason determined to improve a secondary that lacked consistency and reliable depth. General Manager Omar Khan responded by bringing back Asante Samuel Jr., signing Jamel Dean and retaining Jalen Ramsey, creating a suddenly crowded cornerback room.

That depth was immediately tested during Pittsburgh's 28-9 preseason victory over the Green Bay Packers. Ramsey and Joey Porter Jr. were unavailable, creating another opportunity for Samuel to show the coaching staff that he can handle a meaningful role in Patrick Graham's defense.

Samuel delivered exactly the type of performance Pittsburgh needed. He looked healthy, confident and ready to contribute against some of Green Bay's reliable starters. Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger focused closely on the secondary during the game and came away extremely impressed with what Samuel provided.

"You didn't have JPJ, you didn't have Jalen Ramsey out there. What is that going to look like? I'll tell you right now," Roethlisberger said. "You've got Asante Samuel Jr. Hey, what a steal. If he can stay healthy, that young man is ready to play."

Roethlisberger calling Samuel a steal carries more weight than a typical reaction to one preseason performance. Samuel's showing against Green Bay aligned with the positive reports surrounding him throughout the offseason and training camp. He did not suddenly emerge from nowhere on Thursday night.

Samuel originally joined Pittsburgh's practice squad during the 2025 season after recovering from spinal fusion surgery. He eventually earned a role on the active roster, appeared in six games and started three of them. The Steelers saw enough from Samuel to bring him back on a one-year contract and give him another chance to establish himself.

His journey should also provide important context when evaluating his preseason success. Samuel was once considered one of the NFL's promising young cornerbacks, starting 47 games during his four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. Injuries disrupted his career, but they did not eliminate the talent that made him a second-round pick.

Samuel should be expected to look comfortable against preseason competition because of that experience. However, it was still encouraging to watch him perform well. The performance offered visible evidence that the praise coming from inside the organization was justified. Roethlisberger then connected Samuel's emergence to the uncertainty surrounding Porter.

"We don't really know if Joey Porter Jr. is going to play this year," Roethlisberger said. "I assume he is going to play, but the contract thing, I know they say back [injury], but we all know what it is. I'm assuming that whether he goes or doesn't go, I like what you have there [with Asante Samuel Jr.]. I thought he made some plays early on. I'm telling you, I like where this secondary is at."

Porter appears to be dealing with a minor injury. It could also be a convenient time for him to remain patient while his contract situation continues to develop. There is no reason to accuse Porter or the Steelers of doing anything improper, and both factors could be contributing to his absence.

Steelers Now Have Fascinating Options In Their Secondary

Dean and Porter are expected to start on the outside, while Ramsey's versatility should allow Graham to move him into the slot and around the formation. Samuel's rise gives Pittsburgh another experienced cornerback capable of handling significant snaps whenever his number is called. That depth could make Graham's defense extremely difficult to predict. He can change personnel groupings, disguise coverages and create favorable matchups without being completely dependent on one player. Samuel provides flexibility alongside three other proven cornerbacks.

One crazy prediction is that Samuel will outplay Porter in 2026. One preseason game is nowhere near enough to guarantee that outcome, but Samuel's performance strengthened the possibility. He looked nothing like a player who should be buried at the bottom of Pittsburgh's depth chart.

Roethlisberger's comments should not be interpreted as the Steelers wanting to move on from Porter. Instead, they highlight how much Samuel has changed the conversation surrounding the secondary. Porter remains valuable, but Pittsburgh now has another talented option ready to compete for opportunities. Oh, and Steeler Nation can't forget about all the striking reviews on rookie CB Daylen Everette.

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