First Look At An Enthusiastic Steelers' Joey Porter Jr At 2023 Minicamp

Rookie minicamp for the Pittsburgh Steelers began Fridaywith first looks at all of the 2023 draft picks in black and gold, among many others. Joey Porter Jr., the Steelers' second-round pick and cornerback, was putting in work on and off the field. Between drills and talking to the media, Porter was busy on his first day as a professional.

Porter was shown arriving in Pittsburgh on Friday, ready to get to work. He is making it his mission to get to know every one of his new teammates.

"We're all just trying to work together, understand each other's vibe and everything."

After not being on a football field in months, Porter and the rest of his new teammates were just getting back in the swing of things. Porter had time to speak with the media before and even during the minicamp. In a video from the Steelers' PR Department, Porter shares how he was feeling on Friday:

"It was something crazy, definitely something I checked off my bucket list now that I'm an actual Steeler...I soaked it all in. It took me like three minutes to get outside cause I was just standing in the locker room."

Pittsburgh, as well as the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, are quite familiar to Porter Jr. He grew up watching his father practice and play in the very same colors and at the same venue as he's now in. He gave his thoughts on the feeling he got when he arrived, but this time as a player.

"I looked out to the whole field like 'dang' I really used to be out here as a middle schooler and now I'm really out here."

Friday was day one of the three-day minicamp. After getting their feet wet, Porter Jr. and his fellow rookies participated in some drills on the field together for the first time.

The lengthy cornerback showed off his technique for the first time in his new threads. Although what was done on the field Friday was very limited, we got a good look at Porter in his new colors. 

Porter Jr. was also asked about his dad and if he had any words for him going into today. His answer to the media was simple.

"He just always told me to be me, work hard, and just be that pissed-off player like you are right now."

It's no secret that Porter Jr's father, the longtime Steeler from the early 2000s, wants his son to succeed. From wanting Pittsburgh to draft him to now wanting his son to follow in his footsteps, this is a dream come true for the both of them.

Steelers New-Look Cornerback Room

Porter Jr. and fellow 2023 draft pick, Cory Trice Jr. were shown together throughout the minicamp. These two, as well as free agent addition Patrick Peterson, will look to give Pittsburgh's cornerback position a big boost. Outside of Cameron Sutton, who is now a member of the Detroit Lions, the Steelers' cornerbacks were a big weakness to the 2022 team. 

The two 2023 draft picks and Peterson will join Ahkello Witherspoon and Levi Wallace to round out a pretty good top five in the cornerback room. This unit looks much improved compared to last year. The Steelers will go into the new season with very few holes on their roster after a phenomenal draft. Even with all of the talent in the AFC, expect Pittsburgh to be competing for the playoffs all season long.

How do you think Porter Jr. will do in his rookie season? Do you think the Steelers will make the playoffs in 2023? Let us know in the comments below.

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