Steelers Now
One of the Pittsburgh Steelers cornerbacks has been named one of the best players at his position for the 2025 season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense failed to meet the high expectations many had for it entering the 2025 season. However, there were a few bright spots in the unit and one has even been named among the best players at his position.
Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has been named to Pro Football Network’s 2025 NFL All-Pro Team.
“Holding down the perimeter for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Joey Porter Jr. led all cornerbacks with a stellar 95.3 CB Impact score,” Jacob Infante of PFSN wrote. “He allowed a passer rating of just 56.2 in coverage, deflected 11 passes, and allowed completions on fewer than half of his targeted passes.”
Porter, 25, does seem to have taken his game to another level this season. In 14 games, the third-year cornerback recorded 52 tackles, his first career sack, one interception and a career-high 14 passes defensed.
That’s the exact type of play Pittsburgh is going to need from Porter throughout the playoffs, starting against the red-hot Houston Texans in the wild card round on Monday night.
However, Porter isn’t the only Steelers cornerback who has been turning heads this season. James Pierre has also caught PFSN’s attention, but was unfortunately ineligible for the list due to his limited playing time.
“Porter’s running mate, James Pierre, would also be a first-team All-Pro off of grading, but is ineligible with only ten games played,” Infante continued. “Two of the three “A” grades given to cornerbacks went to Steelers.”
Pierre, 29, was released by Pittsburgh in August as part of its final roster cuts but re-signed to the practice squad and later earned an opportunity on the active roster.
Since then, Pierre has recorded 30 tackles, one fumble recovery, one interception and a career-high 11 passes defensed.
Porter and Pierre likely aren’t the cornerbacks the Steelers imagined they’d be starting at this point of the season, but they’ve certainly earned the opportunity to do so in the playoffs.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Cornerback Named to 2025 NFL All-Pro Team
