Steelers Appear Ready to Start Joey Porter Jr.

You would be right if you thought Joey Porter Jr. played much more than usual against the Los Angeles Rams. Porter not only played more than his 28 snaps against the Baltimore Ravens but also significantly more snaps than he has in his NFL career. According to Pro Football Focus, Porter played 53 snaps, the second most on the team among cornerbacks. For the first time all season, Porter out-snapped veteran Levi Wallace, who played 49 snaps.

Even with the Rams playing more 11 personnel and allowing the Steelers to sit into their sub-packages more, that is a stark development. Porter and Patrick Peterson were the most common cornerback tandem for the first time all season. And Porter returned their faith in spades. He was targeted three times, all against standout rookie Puka Nacua, and allowed 0 receptions. He has allowed just one reception for 12 yards in his NFL career.

Porter acknowledged after the game that he must get better at tackling. The outlet credited Porter with two missed tackles on the game, and they graded him as a poor tackler. But it’s not an effort thing; it’s a technique thing. That’s a key distinction, and it can be taught.

“I don’t think it’s an effort thing you know,” Porter said. “I’m willing to do it and get in there. For me, it’s honestly a technique thing. Like, you know, ride now I’m trying to reach for them but I have to wrap up. That’s the biggest thing. It’s a technique issue.”

His battles with Puka Nacua got a lot of attention. It makes sense, but Joey Porter Jr. struggled to make tackles on guys like Nacua in the open field. However, with the coverage chops there, his tackling must get better. He has to work on his ‘Hawk Tackling,’ which encourages eyes through the thighs and then twists and rolls the player down. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll created it to promote a safer way to tackle.

Porter has yet to start officially, but his snap counts continue to climb each week. It is unknown if this week is a sign that Porter is going to climb the depth chart, but with he has played, and the praise Mike Tomlin put onto him after the game, it seems like this is all but a matter of time before Porter gets the job.