Promising Steelers CB Was One Positive from Lopsided Chiefs Loss
Not a lot went right for the Pittsburgh Steelers in their 29-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday, but second-year cornerback Cory Trice Jr. was one of the few bright spots. Trice received the second-highest grade (83.9) from Pro Football Focus among Steelers players, behind just All-Pro defensive tackle Cam Heyward (90.1).
It’s a small sample size, but of the 144 cornerbacks that have played 80+ coverage snaps this season, Trice ranks No. 1 in coverage grade, per PFF.
The Steelersâ seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Trice missed his entire rookie season with an ACL injury suffered in training camp. He made his NFL debut this September, and had been expected to serve as the Steelersâ No. 3 cornerback and a key special teamer before suffering a hamstring injury in Week 3 that placed him on injured reserve.
James Pierre had been filling that role with Trice out. Prior to the Week 16 game against the Baltimore Ravens, Trice had been a healthy scratch since returning from injured reserve on Dec. 5.
With Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. inactive on Wednesday, Pierre received first-team reps over Trice, but Pierre got benched after allowing a 11-yard touchdown to Justin Watson in the first quarter.
Pierre received starting reps over second-year cornerback Cory Trice Jr. for the second consecutive week. He started in replace of Donte Jackson against the Ravens, as well. It’s somewhat surprising that Trice didn’t start over Pierre from the beginning on Wednesday.
Porter, who is dealing with a knee injury, is expected to be out for the regular-season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals, so Trice should be in the starting lineup again. Starter Donte Jackson, who’s been dealing with a nagging back injury, also did not perform well against Kansas City. Trice was the only player in the secondary that had a solid day.
Trice recorded a key interception in the Steelersâ Week 2 win over the Denver Broncos. It also was Triceâs first career INT.
âCory stepped up in the moment,â Heyward said after the win. âWhat a heck of a way for a guy who was hurt all last year to be ready for that moment and make a big play for us and keep seven (points) off the board.â
Trice has been an exciting prospect since he joined the team, with 6-foot-3 size and advanced coverage technique for a player of his experience level. The idea of pairing Trice with another big, physical cornerback from the same draft class in Joey Porter Jr. could set the Steelers up at the position for years.
Though Trice was only a seventh-rounder, that hype was at least somewhat grounded in reality. Coming out of Purdue, he was expected to be an early Day Three or late Day Two draft pick, but fell due to injury concerns. Those concerns have proven legitimate, with two major injuries and just three games played over two seasons.
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