Contract negotiations before opening week can distract even seasoned professionals. But for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the trap is unavoidable. They want Joey Porter Jr. on the field against the Atlanta Falcons. And if he refuses to suit up, at least Patrick Graham’s defense has a reliable insurance option.
According to the unofficial Week 1 depth chart, Asante Samuel Jr. is listed as one of Pittsburgh’s starting cornerbacks. An “or” separates him and Porter Jr. heading into the first exhibition of the season. However, the promotion isn’t just a reflection of the front office’s stalemate. It also reflects the hard work Samuel Jr. put in during an impressive offseason.
Urgency and consistency describe the former second-round pick’s career in Pittsburgh thus far. In 2025, Samuel joined the defense and contributed immediately. In 222 defensive snaps, he earned 10 tackles and an interception. Sure, the numbers throughout six games weren’t flashy. But they were enough to remain on the roster.
Truthfully, that’s all the gridiron protege needed to leave a lasting impression.
A noteworthy training camp and a string of impressive preseason performances gave Samuel Jr. more rope to work with. His ball-hawking and playmaking ability became useful to Patrick Graham’s scheme. It doesn’t surprise me to see Pittsburgh developing faith in the developing corner.
And Sunday could allow him a chance to leave a larger imprint.
The Pittsburgh Steelers need Asante Samuel Jr. to continue his hot streak against the Atlanta Falcons
Defending home field is the mission for Mike McCarthy’s unit this weekend. A stout defensive performance will certainly increase the success rate. Fortunately, the Falcons’ quarterback issues forced Kevin Stefanski to rely on Tua Tagovailoa to lead Atlanta’s offense. He’s an experienced gunslinger with a large chip on his shoulder.
A quarterback with something to prove is equivalent to Pandora’s box for an unprepared defensive back. It exposes flight-or-flight tendencies early and leads to costly mistakes or an unexpected breakout performance. Pittsburgh’s defense cannot afford to be caught off guard. They must force Tagovailoa into uncomfortable situations. A consistent and ferocious pass rush from T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith is crucial to success.
The pressure will eventually lead to poorly timed throws and chances for defensive backs to rack up interceptions. I expect Drake London and Kyle Pitts Sr. to become safety blankets for Tagovailoa throughout the afternoon. Usually, Joey Porter Jr. would dedicate the afternoon to locking down London.
And why wouldn’t he? The former Nittany Lion allowed zero touchdowns in man coverage during the 2025 regular season. A 50% completion rate led quarterbacks to reconsider their choices.
But if Samuel Jr. takes the field in starting capacity, he could be tasked with locking down one of the league's top pass-catchers.
A mix of contract negotiations and a memorable offseason put Pittsburgh in an odd situation. Ideally, keeping Joey Porter Jr. happy and active would benefit all parties involved. With Christian Gonzales and other defensive backs resetting the cornerback market, agreeing on figures could be murky business.
And if Porter Jr. and the front office can't work out a deal before the game, it’s clear the Steelers have an insurance blanket in Asante Samuel Jr.
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