Steelers CB Cory Trice Is Making The Most Of His Opportunities Ahead Of 2024 Regular Season

The Pittsburgh Steelers' cornerback room is filled with youthful talent. From Joey Porter Jr. ready to build off his successful rookie season, and the Steelers trading for veteran Donte Jackson (who is still in the prime of his career at the age of 28), many believe that they have their CB1 and CB2 set heading into the 2024 season. However, their seventh round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft is ready to prove his worth for Pittsburgh as well.

Cory Trice spent all of 2023 on the sidelines due to a torn ACL in training camp. He was having himself an impressive training camp up to that point, some speculating that he would see some snaps during the regular season. Now into his second offseason, he is working to get as many opportunities to showcase his abilities and that he is at 100%. Recently after practice, he told the media that he is willing to play anywhere that the Steelers need him and continue to stay healthy.

"Whenever they ask me to do more, you know that's really a way for me showing them I can do more. If they ask me to play a certain position, I'm going to do it. To show them I can continue to stay healthy."

Trice was drafted with the 241st pick of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Purdue. He caught a lot of scouts' eyes through his measurements, standing a 6'3", over 200 pounds and long arms. Many had him going as early as the fourth round. Unfortunately, with concerns of his injury history, he would see his stock plummet. Now he is looking to carve a role with the Steelers and he is willing to do anything to get on the field, including playing special teams.

"Man, whatever they want me to show them, I'm showing them. They got me on there, I'm playing it. Wherever they got me on the field, I want to play that."

In Trice's first true action for the Steelers in their first preseason game against the Houston Texans, he had an impressive tackle for loss on a wide receiver screen in the fourth quarter. He totaled 18 snaps against Houston and hoping to see more opportunities heading into their second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.

The Steelers' depth at the cornerback position is thin, with many unproven talent behind Porter Jr. and Jackson. There are plenty of opportunities for Trice to step into the backup corner position after seeing back to back days with first team (with Jackson not suiting up due to minor bumps and bruises). The Steelers obviously like what they have seen from Trice so far in this year's training camp in Latrobe, giving him more reps to showcase his abilities, and he seems to be making the most out of it.

Steelers Depth At Corner Could Be Solved In-House

Trice will continue to work hard to show the coaching staff that he deserves to be on the field when the regular season starts. The Steelers working him with the first team shows they have confidence that he can fill in as the CB2 in case Jackson goes down with an injury or just outplays him. Trice wants to create a role for himself. Whether it starts on special teams or not, he is fine with that, he just wants to be out on the field. 

Will Trice continue to impress the coaching staff enough to see more looks with the first team, or will the Steelers take their time with him as they did with Porter Jr? Let us know in the comments what you think the Steelers plans are for Trice to start the regular season.

#SteelerNation