Steelers Rookie Joey Porter Jr. Puts Crushing End To Narrative By Posting 1st Interception Of His NFL Career

The Pittsburgh Steelers needed to revamp their secondary for the 2023 season. The team has been looking for a shutdown cornerback since Ike Taylor retired. Joe Haden held onto the top cornerback position for several seasons after signing in free agency, but he didn’t have the one on one ability that Taylor had throughout his impressive career.

Steelers' Omar Khan Pulls Off Coup By Turning Chase Claypool Into Joey Porter Jr.

The Steelers took a two-pronged approach under General Manager, Omar Khan. They signed future Hall of Fame cornerback, Patrick Peterson, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings, in free agency. They also used the first pick of the second round that they acquired in the Chase Claypool trade to select Joey Porter Jr. from the Penn State Nittany Lions.

The Steelers, under Kevin Colbert, tried and failed several times to answer the cornerback question through the draft. It looks like, as of now, it only took one time for Khan to get it right. Porter Jr. saw his first NFL game action against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday in the team's second preseason game. The knock on Porter Jr. coming out of college was that he was a little too physical and that he did not cause turnovers.

Just before the end of the first half against the Bills, Porter Jr. demonstrated why college quarterbacks did not target him. Matt Barkley stared a little too hard at Khalil Shakir, and the rookie came down with the pick for the first time in his professional career. The interception set the Steelers up in the red zone just before halftime.

Mitchell Trubisky and the second-team offense took full advantage. The backup quarterback found Connor Heyward with just three seconds left in the half to give the Steelers a 21-0 lead at the break. The Pittsburgh defense was dominant to begin the second preseason game, and it will probably be the last time most of the first team plays until they meet the San Francisco 49ers. 

Porter Jr. has gone through a trial by fire during the Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. George Pickens roasted him multiple times, but Porter Jr. has bounced back more determined each time the budding superstar beats him one on one. Porter Jr. is not as vocal as his father, Joey Porter Sr, but he has demonstrated the same tenacity that made his father a force in the NFL. 

Pittsburgh is two for two on preseason homecomings. In 2022, Kenny Pickett put on a show in his first appearance at Acrisure Stadium, leading the Steelers to a thrilling victory. Fast forward to 2023 and another hometown hero in Porter Jr. put up a phenomenal debut, generating a turnover that led to a touchdown. The Steelers are beginning to have a team of destiny feel and the fans couldn't be happier. 

What do you think Steeler Nation? Are you excited to see Porter find early success in black and gold? Let me know what you think. Please comment below or on my TwitterX :@thebubbasq. 

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