The Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver room took a hit when Diontae Johnson was traded early in the offseason. However, the team bolstered its defense by acquiring veteran cornerback Donte Jackson in return, whom they highly regard. Jackson, eager for a fresh start with a winning team after his tenure with the Carolina Panthers, is excited to join the Steelers.
As a rookie, Joey Porter Jr. faced the tough challenge of shadowing the opposing team’s top wide receiver last season. Despite the daunting task, Porter handled it well, demonstrating both skill and confidence.
As the Steelers prepare for their matchup against the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday, Porter spoke to the media about his role. When asked whether he would be shadowing Falcons’ top receiver Drake London, Porter suggested that he might have a new role this season.
"I really don't know. We've got two really good corners on each side, me and [Donte Jackson]. I feel like whatever side that he's on or I'm on is gonna be good regardless of the situation."
Porter suggested that the cornerbacks might not be switching sides as frequently, indicating the Steelers' confidence in both Jackson and Porter's ability to excel on their respective sides. While this strategy could evolve as the game and season progress, it's notable that Porter doesn't expect to be shadowing each team's top receiver.
This reflects the high regard in which Jackson is held within the Steel City. With a track record of reliability, Jackson has long been a target for the Steelers, who are thrilled to pair him with Porter. Porter spoke highly of Jackson's experience, further underscoring the team's confidence in their new cornerback.
"He's been in the league a long time. He went against various big guys like Mike Evans and everything like that in the division. He's welcoming to the challenge, he's not gonna back down from it. And that's the kind of DB you want on your team."
Jackson enters his seventh NFL season with the Steelers amid considerable hype. Over his six-year career, he has accumulated 302 tackles (247 solo), 15 tackles for loss, one sack, one QB hit, 14 interceptions, one interception return for a touchdown, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and 46 passes defensed. The Steelers coaching staff hopes he can bring this level of production to Pittsburgh.
Porter also carries significant anticipation into his second season. Despite some struggles with physicality and a few penalties in his rookie year, Porter demonstrated promise by effectively matching up against top wide receivers and making their jobs challenging. Steeler Nation is excited for Porter to make a substantial leap in his sophomore season.
Steelers Expected To Have A Formidable Team In 2024
The Steelers' defense has been a steadying force during periods of offensive struggles. Heading into 2024, the defense looks particularly strong with a dominant linebacker group and impactful players on the defensive line.
While the secondary has faced some scrutiny in recent seasons, the addition of Jackson and the development of Porter are expected to bring significant improvement. Although concerns remain about the nickelback position, the return of Cam Sutton from suspension should address those issues. However, the Steelers will be without Sutton for eight games in 2024. This should open an opportunity for undrafted rookie Beanie Bishop Jr. to make an impact.
With expectations high for the defense to be among the best in the league and the offense showing signs of improvement under Arthur Smith, the Steelers are poised for an exciting season. The prospect of watching Porter in his second year alongside Jackson adds another layer of intrigue, and fans are eager to see how this dynamic duo performs.
