The Pittsburgh Steelers didn't have their top cornerback again in Week 3, and this time, it nearly cost them the game. Against a top-flight passing attack led by quarterback Joe Burrow and superstar receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Steelers struggled to defend the pass.
Thank goodness for Derrick Harmon's strip-sack to end the game in a 30-27 victory. If not for that play, we could have been looking at a different outcome against the Cincinnati Bengals.
But even with this close call in a huge Week 3 divisional game and Asante Samuel Jr.'s struggles, the Steelers cannot cave to Porter's lofty contract demands.
The Pittsburgh Steelers must stand their ground on Joey Porter Jr. and consider trade options
It didn't take long for the dust to settle in Week 3 before the Joey Porter Jr. trade rumors started swirling again. The Cowboys, Lions, and Giants are three teams that have been floated out there that could be suitors for Porter.
And as awful as it might sound, the Steelers need to start fielding some serious offers.
Porter left the Steelers stranded and desperate for options to slow down the Bengals' passing attack on Sunday. As a result, undersized CB Asante Samuel Jr. was routinely picked on—mostly by Chase, but also allowing an explosive touchdown play to Higgins.
Despite being in decent position most of the time, Samuel was bullied by the bigger receivers. He was credited with allowing four catches on five targets for 61 yards and two touchdowns (one to Chase and one to Higgins).
This performance equated to a nearly perfect 157.1 passer rating from Joe Burrow when Samuel was targeted. Meanwhile, the veteran cornerback earned a dismal 45.5 overall grade (42.1 coverage grade) for his unsatisfactory performance against the Bengals [$].
Samuel's egregious play nearly cost the Steelers a home victory against their division rival. However, we can't be too quick to forget that Porter has also struggled historically against Chase and Higgins when facing the Bengals (as most cornerbacks do).
Joey Porter Jr. made his stance clear... and the Steelers must act
But here's the real kicker: Porter was willing to sit out during the team's most pivotal game in the first half of their schedule, knowing how important his presence is to this defense. Like it or not, these bridges have been burned, and the Steelers need to entertain a trade for Porter.
Samuel hasn't played at all like the player we saw during training camp and the preseason. After a dominant August, the former Chargers second-round pick has plummeted back down to earth. The good news is that there's only room to go up from here.
While the Browns' rookie receiver combo of Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion could get the best of this secondary at times on Thursday night, it won't be anything like what Samuel already faced in arguably the league's most lethal pass-catching duo.
Meanwhile, Jamel Dean has proven to be an excellent addition so far, while rookie third-round pick Daylen Everette is itching for ways to get on the field and prove himself. Everette saw 26 snaps at cornerback in Week 3 after taking over for the struggling Samuel, and he could be in line for a bigger role moving forward.
There's no question that the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense would be better with Joey Porter Jr. on the field, but caving to his demands after one bad game from the secondary would set a bad precedent for all Steelers moving forward who will be seeking contract extensions.
We're in this deep, and if Porter is not willing to suit up for this team and play under his current contract, it's time to explore trade options.
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