Joey Porter Jr. had Pittsburgh Steelers fans on edge in Week 1 when he made the bold decision to watch from the sidelines in street clothes. Porter officially began a holdout for a new contract, which left the team shorthanded at the cornerback position, as they were forced to promote Doneiko Slaughter from the practice squad.
Thankfully, Porter's absence didn't cost Pittsburgh a win on their own turf in the season opener. In fact, the defense ensured that his absence was hardly noticeable.
The secondary allowed just four receptions on nine targets and 53 receiving yards to all opposing wide receivers and tight ends—including star wideout Drake London—while Kyle Pitts hardly cracked the stat sheet (zero catches on one target). With an interception while targeting Jahan Dotson, this equated to just a 24.0 passer rating for quarterback Cooper Rush when targeting any of his pass-catchers (minus Bijan Robinson) in this contest.
The defense did its part and, for now, general manager Omar Khan isn't going to have any regrets about not caving to Porter's contract demands.
The Pittsburgh Steelers didn't miss Joey Porter Jr. in Week 1, but that doesn't mean they won't soon
Asante Samuel Jr. got the start in Porter's absence. Samuel was credited with allowing a lone reception on two targets for 21 yards, per data from Pro Football Focus ($). Not bad, considering he played all 60 defensive snaps for the Steelers in Week 1.
At right cornerback, newcomer Jamel Dean allowed just 27 yards on two targets. Meanwhile, veteran Jalen Ramsey gave up just one reception on three targets for seven yards while working as a nickel defensive back.
Now, to be fair, we didn't exactly expect Cooper Rush to bully this team through the air. We're talking about a third-string quarterback who was forced to play in a pinch (and one who is coming off a dismal season with the Baltimore Ravens). But the defensive results for Pittsburgh may not have been much better if Porter had suited up for this contest.
Unfortunately, just because the Steelers' secondary didn't need Porter for Week 1 doesn't mean they won't need him at all this season.
The Steelers are now preparing for a daunting road matchup against the New England Patriots, and you better believe Drake Maye—who finished second in MVP voting last year—is looking to bounce back from an ugly Week 1 outing against the Seattle Seahawks. Maye will give Pittsburgh's defense a much bigger test in Week 2.
Fortunately for Pittsburgh, the Patriots will be without their No. 1 wide receiver, as A.J. Brown looks to work his way back from a high ankle sprain suffered in the season-opening loss. But the Steelers can't take the Patriots lightly.
Porter played hardball with the Steelers and lost. And after Pittsburgh's secondary held their own against the Falcons in Week 1, Porter's decision looks even worse. However, it might only take one awful outing of pass defense for Pittsburgh to come crawling back to Porter (though this team simply doesn't negotiate contracts during the season).
Something has to give with the Joey Porter Jr. situation soon. But it's good to know that the Pittsburgh Steelers' secondary looked competent without him. How long that lasts might be another story entirely.
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