Recognition isn’t everything in the NFL, but let’s be honest—it certainly feels good. While the bragging rights associated with a Pro Bowl selection won’t guarantee a Super Bowl ring, being listed among the “best of the best” still carries weight. Unfortunately for the Pittsburgh Steelers, earning that recognition has been especially difficult this season.
Mistakes, injuries, and inconsistent play have created a roller coaster so turbulent that even diehard fans sometimes struggle to keep their balance. Analysts dissect every flaw, and fans—already worn down by the chaos—often focus more on what’s going wrong than what’s quietly going right. Lost in that noise is one of Pittsburgh’s brightest and most consistent performers: cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
Porter Jr. hasn’t just been good. He’s been quietly dominant.
The weight he carries is unlike most young defenders. Being the son of Joey Porter Sr.—one of the most ferocious linebackers in franchise history—means expectations were sky-high before he even stepped onto the field. That shadow can be overwhelming, and I believe it often overshadows what Porter Jr. is accomplishing right now.
Critics love to bring up the No. 24 jersey and the penalties that come with it, especially pass interference calls. But what if I told you that narrative is wildly exaggerated? Porter Jr. has been flagged for pass interference just three times this season—the same as last year. Compare that to Denver’s Riley Moss, who leads the league with nine. And while those penalties have stung in key moments, they don’t define Porter Jr.’s season.
What should define it is this: he hasn’t allowed a single touchdown in coverage. Not one.
The Pittsburgh Steelers must recognize Joey Porter Jr.'s growth even if fans will not
Porter Jr. has also kept opposing receivers under 250 total yards and recorded 12 pass breakups. Quarterbacks who test him complete only half of their passes. Even more impressive? Those same quarterbacks average a 53.3 passer rating when targeting their side of the field. That’s elite territory—regardless of how quietly it’s happening.
Yet despite these numbers, despite locking down some of the NFL’s top receivers, Porter Jr. hasn’t cracked the top ten in Pro Bowl cornerback voting with only weeks left. It’s disappointing, but I can’t say it’s shocking. Joey Porter Jr.’s impact isn’t flashy. It’s not loud. It’s something you must intentionally watch to appreciate.
The truth is, expectations for him have become almost unfair. Fans and critics don’t just want improvement—they expect the ceiling every single week. They expect dominance. Because of that, his steady brilliance gets overlooked, even though he is one of the most important pieces in Teryl Austin’s defensive scheme.
I genuinely believe Joey Porter Jr. deserves recognition for the season he’s putting together. He’s become a cornerstone in Pittsburgh’s secondary, the kind of player the Steelers can build around for years. Pro Bowl voters may be missing it, but Steelers fans shouldn’t.
And if you ask me, this snub won’t define him—but it might just fuel him.