Cornerback Joey Porter Jr., the Steelers second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is someone who will never back down from a challenge in football and that was evident during his rookie season.
Porter emerged as someone who was assigned to cover the opponent's top receivers and he didn't disappoint.
"I'm really excited about the trajectory of his career," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "Probably the most impressive component of where he is, is his mindset. He wants the fight. He wants the tough coverage. He's extremely competitive in that way. And that's a great place to build from.
"He's got growth ahead of him, but that's real solid."
Porter finished the season with 42 tackles, 32 of them solo stops, 10 passes defensed, an interception against the Baltimore Ravens, and a tackle for a loss.
Porter, who is a finalist for the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year, was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie team.
Porter didn't enter the season as a starter, but his playing time gradually grew through the first six games of the season, and by Week 8 he earned a starting role when the team played the Jacksonville Jaguars.
And he never looked back.
"I think about that often," said Porter, the son of former Steelers linebacker Joey Porter Sr. "If I played Week 1, I don't know how my body would feel. I am glad they slowed the process down for me."
Porter said there are areas he still wants to focus on in his game, while at the same time knowing he grew as the season progressed.
"I feel like there are a lot of areas that I need to work on, and I am still working on," said Porter. "Overall, I have grown as a player. I am happy where I am and there is still work to do."
Porter also won the Joe Greene Great Performance Award, given by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America to the team's rookie of the year.
At that time, he talked about being a second-round pick and said it still bothers him that he was passed over by so many teams.
"It still gets under my skin sometimes," said Porter. "I felt like I was CB1 for sure, and it didn't pan out that way. And luckily it didn't pan out that way because I ended up here. I feel like it was worth it.
"I feel like it elevated my game even more because I came into the league with a chip on my shoulder to prove myself. I feel like I'm still proving myself every day when I step on the field. I don't feel like I am there yet. I have a lot to learn."
Porter said the chip might not come off his shoulder until some big things happen in his career.
"I got to win a couple of rings for that to go away," said Porter.
While the chip is there, so is Porter's confidence as he is one to never back down from covering the opponent's top receiver.
"It just might be a Porter thing that we all have. I was like that as a kid," said Porter. "I always wanted the biggest task. I wanted to make the play.
"I wanted to be in those positions because I know some people get scared of the bright lights and I look forward to them. I just want to be in that moment every time."
Take a look at photographs of Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. from the 2023 season
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker David Perales (40) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Buffalo Bills 27-15. (Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tennessee Titans, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Steelers defeated the Titans 20-16. (Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tennessee Titans, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Steelers defeated the Titans 20-16. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023 in Cincinnati, OH. The Steelers defeated the Bengals 16-10. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Cardinals beat the Steelers 24-10. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) intercepts a play during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Steelers defeated the Ravens 17-10. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Steelers defeated the Ravens 17-10. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson (20) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024 in Baltimore, MD. The Steelers defeated the Ravens 17-10. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a postseason Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 in Buffalo, NY. The Bills beat the Steelers 31-17. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Patriots beat the Steelers 21-18. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Patriots beat the Steelers 21-18. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tennessee Titans, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Steelers defeated the Titans 20-16. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Patriots beat the Steelers 21-18. (Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Trenton Thompson (17) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Patriots beat the Steelers 21-18. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023 in Las Vegas, NV. The Steelers defeated the Raiders 23-18. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023 in Inglewood, CA. The Steelers defeated the Rams 24-17. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023 in Seattle, WA. The Steelers defeated the Seahawks 30-23. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 in Indianapolis, IN. The Colts beat the Steelers 30-13. (Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023 in Inglewood, CA. The Steelers defeated the Rams 24-17. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 in Indianapolis, IN. The Colts beat the Steelers 30-13. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Steelers defeated the Packers 23-19. (Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. The Browns beat the Steelers 13-10. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson (20) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Steelers defeated the Bengals 34-11. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Trenton Thompson (17) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Cleveland, OH. The Browns beat the Steelers 13-10. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Steelers beat the Bills 27-15. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Monday, Sept. 18, 2023 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Steelers defeated the Browns 26-22. (Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24), Pittsburgh Steelers safety Trenton Thompson (17), Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kenny Robinson (41) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Steelers beat the Bills 27-15. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
SINGLE-GAME HIGHS: DEFENSIVE
Total Tackles:
6 at Cleveland Browns, Nov 19, 2023
5 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Oct 29, 2023
4 vs. New England Patriots, Dec 07, 2023
4 vs. Arizona Cardinals, Dec 03, 2023
1 more at 4.
Solo Tackles
5 at Cleveland Browns, Nov 19, 2023
4 vs. New England Patriots, Dec 07, 2023
4 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Oct 29, 2023
3 vs. Green Bay Packers, Nov 12, 2023
1 more at 3.
Passes Defensed
1 at Seattle Seahawks, Dec 31, 2023
1 vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Dec 23, 2023
8 more at 1.
Tackles For Loss
1 vs. Green Bay Packers, Nov 12, 2023
Interceptions
1 vs. Baltimore Ravens, Oct 08, 2023
SINGLE-GAME HIGHS - POSTSEASON: DEFENSIVE
Total Tackles
2 at Buffalo Bills, Jan 15, 2024
Solo Tackles
2 at Buffalo Bills, Jan 15, 2024
