Training camp is in the books for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and while plenty of attention goes to the usual list of winners and disappointments, the biggest camp setback may not be who most fans first think of.
Malik Harrison slipped from being viewed as a top reserve linebacker to an easy cut candidate. Esezi Otomewo, who opened camp as an early favorite in the defensive line room, lost ground as the weeks went on. Kaleb Johnson also belongs in the conversation after falling out of favor with the team, and just one year after being drafted, he appears headed toward playing elsewhere in 2026.
But the biggest loser from camp was Joey Porter Jr.
That may sound odd at first, because Porter Jr. is still the player Pittsburgh trusts most at cornerback. His role, once he gets on the field, isn’t really in question. He’s the top cornerback on the roster.
The problem is what he missed.
This is a Steelers team with a brand new coaching staff from top to bottom, and that kind of turnover makes practice time even more valuable. Getting comfortable with Patrick Graham’s new scheme matters, and Porter has not yet officially practiced with the team. That leaves him behind the curve at a time when everyone else is getting work in.
There’s also a decent chance a new deal gets done before the regular season starts. If that happens, Porter would slide right back into his place as the No. 1 corner. But even then, the early part of the season could be a little rocky if he’s still catching up to the new system.
While Porter has been sidelined from camp, Asante Samuel Jr. has turned in strong performances, and third-round rookie Daylen Everette has also shown up well, though to a lesser degree. If Porter opens the year slowly because he’s still adjusting, Steelers fans won’t be patient for long.
And that’s where the pressure really kicks in. If the Steelers do lock him up, he’s likely to become one of the top five highest-paid cornerbacks in the league. That kind of contract comes with immediate expectations.
Porter isn’t in danger of losing his roster spot. But missing the entire camp can still leave a mark, and it would look bad if he signs a major deal and then starts the season slowly. With all the change around him, that risk feels very real.
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Now the attention is on the next chapter under new head coach Mike McCarthy, who plans to use Metcalf more in the slot in 2026. It is a notable wrinkle for a receiver whose look and role already changed once when he landed in Pittsburgh, and it has fans wondering whether this will unlock something different or simply give the Steelers another way to get one of their biggest names involved. [Read more 🡒]