Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey just tossed a grenade into the NFL conversation, not with a tackle, but with an Instagram story. Ramsey, an All-Pro himself, was “Tapped in brother,” watching Joey Porter Jr. make his debut for the Dallas Cowboys against the Houston Texans. This isn’t just a friendly shoutout; it’s a stark reminder of the mess brewing in the Steelers’ secondary.
That Instagram Post and Porter’s Quiet Debut
Ramsey’s post was clear: he was locked in on Porter Jr.’s first game with the Cowboys. And honestly, Porter Jr. had a solid, if quiet, debut. The Cowboys clinched the win against Houston, and here’s the kicker: Porter Jr. wasn’t targeted a single time in his 16 coverage snaps. That’s a good look for a rookie, showing he’s already respected enough by opposing quarterbacks that they’re just avoiding him. It probably felt great for Porter Jr. to get that W and have a clean sheet in his first outing.
But while Porter Jr. was out there silencing opposing receivers for Dallas, his former team, the Steelers, just keeps getting thinner in their defensive backfield. This is a unit that was supposed to be deep heading into the season. Now? Not so much.
Steelers’ Secondary in Shambles and The Porter Jr. Fallout
So, why isn’t Porter Jr. racking up those coverage snaps for Pittsburgh? Turns out, the Steelers’ “contract philosophy” was the real culprit. Ian Rapoport reported that Porter Jr. was looking for more guaranteed money and more years. The “final straw” for the Steelers, reportedly, was Porter Jr.’s claim of back pain on a Wednesday. That’s when they aggressively started shopping him around. Yikes. Talk about a messy divorce.
Now, after their recent loss to the Browns, the Steelers are scrambling. Derrick Harmon, their defensive tackle, is out for multiple weeks with an injury, further weakening their D-line. They’re working out veteran linebackers and, honestly, they should probably be signing at least three free agent cornerbacks just to keep things afloat. Their secondary is officially “very thin.” It really makes you wonder if trading Porter Jr. was worth it, especially now that he’s out there playing well for another team. Ryan Wilson even floated the idea that the Steelers’ incredible 22-year run without a losing season might actually be their biggest problem right now. What a take, but you gotta admit, it feels like they’re making some strange calls.
What’s Next for Pittsburgh?
The Steelers are looking at a tough road ahead, especially with their defensive issues. They just lost to the Browns, and now they’ve got to figure out how to patch up a secondary that just lost a promising young talent and is dealing with injuries elsewhere. Meanwhile, the AFC North is always a brutal division. Looking around the league, the Ravens could be without Lamar Jackson, who sprained an ankle against the Titans and might miss Week 5. That’s a break for *someone* in the AFC. Over with the Jets, Minkah Fitzpatrick snagged their first interception since 2024. And down in Buffalo, Keon Coleman is finally starting to show what he could be for the Bills. But for the Steelers? They’ve got to find some answers for their defense, and fast, before this “thin” secondary becomes a full-blown crisis.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
Leave a Reply