Joey Porter Jr., the second-round pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers, recently made his first NFL start against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
This opportunity came about due to Levi Wallace’s injury, and the team was impressed with Porter’s performance during the game.
Head coach Mike Tomlin has announced that Porter will continue to be the starter in the upcoming weeks, regardless of the availability of other players.
Reflecting on his journey so far, Porter understands the importance of taking a step back and learning from experiences.
He mentions how he had to do the same when transitioning from high school to Penn State. The way the Steelers have nurtured and developed him has given him immense confidence in his abilities and what he can accomplish on the field.
Speaking about his progress, Porter expresses his utmost confidence by stating, “I’ve got the highest confidence right now in myself in what I can do on the field.”
He acknowledges that the team has gradually provided him with valuable guidance and knowledge, which has helped him adjust to his role.
“I’ve got the highest confidence right now in myself in what I can do on the field,” Porter said, via the team’s website. “Now that they gave me nuggets and eased me into the role, it was the best situation for me even though it stunk at the time because at the end you just want more. But I feel like they played it right and now I am ready.”
Joey Porter Jr. has "highest confidence in myself" after being named a starter. https://t.co/MgzxEpZj86
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) November 1, 2023
Although it wasn’t easy initially, Porter believes that the Steelers handled his development in the best possible way, and he now feels prepared to excel in his position.
Comparisons can be drawn between Porter and his father, who had to wait until his second season to make his first start with the Steelers.
However, once he got that opportunity, he became a consistent presence in the lineup for the following seven years.
The Steelers have high hopes that Joey Porter Jr. can have a similar impactful run as a vital component of their defense.
