The Pittsburgh Steelers have many young players who are looking to extend their professional careers, specifically with the Black and Gold. George Pickens is an example of a player who was unable to do so, given that the Steelers recently traded him away after just his third season since being drafted. On the defensive side of the ball, the Steelers have attempted to rebuild their cornerback room over recent years, and there's one player in particular who has a serious opportunity to work his way into a legitimate, long-term role.
In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers, who were in need of added depth, took Donte Kent, a cornerback from Central Michigan, in the seventh round. In 2024, the Steelers did not draft a corner, but they did add Beanie Bishop Jr. as an undrafted free agent. The year prior, in 2023, Omar Khan and the front office decided to draft Joey Porter Jr. with the first pick in the second round and Cory Trice Jr in the seventh round.
Porter quickly showed, even in his rookie season, that he has the talent to be either the team's No. 1 or 2 cornerback for many years to come. He's entering his third season in 2025, and the Steelers added Darius Slay this offseason to be his No. 2 and mentor for a year. However, the Steelers still need to secure their future at the position behind Porter.
Steelers insider Mark Kaboly said on Wednesday that Trice certainly looks the part so far at organized team activities (OTAs), and the third-year cornerback has a great opportunity to build himself a future in Pittsburgh.
"You know who I wanna bring up is Cory Trice, too. He's a guy that if he can just stay healthy, I think has a very legit opportunity to be that DB two next year," said Kaboly. "He could be the long-term answer next to Joey Porter. My goodness does he just look the part. He's looking faster, quicker, he's looking more comfortable. But the injuries just tend to pile up on the guy. If he stays healthy, he has a chance to be a guy that not only helps this team out this year, but long-term in the future."
In two seasons, since being drafted in 2023, Trice has appeared in only six games. He missed his entire rookie season due to a torn ACL suffered during training camp. By Week 3 of 2024, after intercepting his first career pass the game prior, Trice suffered a hamstring injury that would sideline him until the final three weeks of the regular season.
The regular-season finale, in which the Steelers hosted the Cincinnati Bengals, while Porter was matched up on Tee Higgins, Trice was forced to be matched up against Ja'Marr Chase, who caught 10 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown. Trice recently spoke of that particular night, which has haunted him. He told the fan base that it will never happen again.
The third and fourth seasons ultimately determine whether or not the franchise will look to re-sign a player to another contract. Pat Freiermuth, for example is a guy who got a four-year contract extension after three promising seasons. Members of the 2022 and 2023 draft classes who are still unproven like Trice, Broderick Jones, Keeanu Benton, Darnell Washington and Calvin Austin III, all are looking at the 2025 season like contract years.
Steelers' young cornerbacks must soak in as much information as possible from Darius Slay
Slay, who just won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles, has a lot of experience that should help Pittsburgh's other young cornerbacks develop and learn.
By the time he or the Steelers are ready to part ways, Pittsburgh's young core needs to be ready to step up into significant roles. Kaboly believes Trice has the physical ability to be the franchise's No. 2 corner behind Porter, but he'll need to remain healthy.
