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Porter/Pickens Round 2 Has High Stakes for Steelers
Locked On Steelers Podcast: George Pickens and Joey Porter Jr. are set for another big training camp battle, with high stakes for the team.
The 2024 version of the Pittsburgh Steelers are about to get set for training camp at St. Vincent College, with players reporting to camp on Wednesday and practices starting Thursday. Last season, one of the most-watched matchups were the solo battles between then-rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and wide receiver George Pickens.
Pickens got the best of the rookie on the whole, but Porter showed plenty of potential for what became a very successful rookie season. This year, Porter is ready to take what he learned in his first go-around against Pickens and apply it to Year 2.
“We are gunning for each other every day that we get a chance to,” Porter said at minicamp. “And I am looking forward to training camp. I know it’s gonna be spicy, but I am ready for it.”
Last year, the stakes were simply about a young DB trying to prove himself in the league. But this year, the Steelers have a lot riding on both Pickens and Porter taking another step forward. Porter showed down the stretch run of his rookie season the ability to lock down some of the best receivers in the league in 1-on-1 coverage. If he ascends to being the kind of player that can do that routinely, it could give them star power at the cornerback position it hasn’t had in years.
Meanwhile, with Diontae Johnson traded to Carolina, Pickens will now be facing the top cornerback of nearly every opponent, and a healthy dose of double teams, too. The Steelers will want Pickens to develop a more well-rounded route tree as he assumes No. 1 receiver status, while also finding a way to handle an increase in competition.
The Steelers have a lot riding on both Pickens and Porter continuing to show growth in 2024, and they’ll be showcasing that growth in another 1 on 1 battle at training camp.
Alan Saunders joined Chris Carter on the Locked On Podcast to discuss the what might be the most-watched camp battle. The guys also talked about the slot cornerback battle to replace Cam Sutton while he’s suspended and how Calvin Austin III will fit into the new Steelers’ offense.
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