Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. Said Comparing Careers With His Dad Is Off-Limits

The Pittsburgh Steelers love legacy players and that family connection. It shows with the numerous sets of brothers and relatives the team has fielded over the years. T.J. Watt's brother Derek Watt was on the team until the end of the 2022 season, brothers Nick Herbig and Nate Herbig are currently on the roster, and safety/cornerback hybrid Patrick Peterson is the younger cousin of former Steelers cornerback, Bryant McFadden. But one of the most celebrated relationships of all on the team is the father and son one between Joey Porter Sr. and Joey Porter Jr. While numerous stories have been reported tracking their experiences along the way, including dad not being too happy with his son's tackling technique, the one thing that hasn't come up is them comparing careers. There is a good reason it hasn't been mentioned because according to Porter Jr., it just doesn't happen

One of the things that Head Coach Mike Tomlin loved about Porter Jr. when he was playing football at the University of Penn State was that his father was a critical member of a Pittsburgh team that won a Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks. Porter Sr. had his son with him all the time, at practices, camp, team events, and even held him as they hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. Porter Jr. grew up in professional football, which gives him an advantage over other rookies because he has seen exactly what is expected. On top of that, he has his father there in his hometown of Pittsburgh.

It is not surprising that most NFL players, like almost all professional athletes, are highly competitive. There are always jokes and stories floating around about the competitions they drum up. There are also the very real competitions that happen to determine a player's job or position on the depth chart. Porter Jr. said that competing is something he and his father don't do. 

Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. Said He Wanted To Carve His Own Path In The NFL

When the Steelers drafted Porter Jr. with their first second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, everyone wanted to compare him to his father. Porter Sr., a linebacker, who was drafted in the third round in 1999, spent eight of his 13-year career in Pittsburgh. 

The first hurdle they faced was what position he would play. Naturally, a lot of people wanted him to play linebacker like his father. 

"Everybody wanted me to play linebacker and wear 55 because of my dad. But me and him had the talk way before," said Porter Jr. in a recent video released by the team.

However, that was something that he and his father actively sought to avoid. While Porter Sr. has been visible at games, he is not "that dad" who is screaming at the coaches to play his son, not even when Porter Jr. was only getting a few snaps at the beginning of the season.

"It was always like, we're not gonna compare each other. This is a father-son thing; not a lot of people get to experience this," explained Porter Jr. "Let's enjoy it as it is and not try to beat ourselves up [about] who had the better career or who went higher. Ever since then, it's just been perfect with us, and we both have that understanding."

It has certainly been an excellent season for the rookie who was rewarded for his hard work by his teammates. Porter Jr. spoke to the media after winning the Steelers' Rookie of the Year Award, called the Joe Greene Great Performance Award. The award is determined by the Steelers players who vote for the rookie they think best honors that legacy. He said he and his father have "little in rivals" because he won it and his father did not. It went instead to first-round wide receiver Troy Edwards back when Porter Sr. was playing. Porter Jr. said this would definitely be something to tease his dad about.    

He jokingly said that he figured his dad would have bragged about it if he had won it. Since he never mentioned winning the award, Porter Jr. said he can't wait to mention he was selected to see his reaction. He said while he had no clue he would win the award, it was definitely something he aspired to. 

"When Kenny Pickett won his and I had to show up for the event, there was something in my mind I definitely want to win this, I could see myself up here, giving a speech. Definitely something in my mind that I worked towards."

Porter Jr. started off slow as most rookies do in Pittsburgh, playing more and more snaps each week. He played at least some in every game prior to becoming a starter. He has 750 defensive snaps under his belt and 43 tackles, one for a loss, 10 passes defended, and one interception. He has been very vocal about asking for playing time. Porter Jr. has stepped up over and over, asking to cover some of the best wide receivers in the NFL, including D.K. Metcalf, DeAndre Hopkins, and Davante Adams to name a few. 

Once again, Porter Jr. could have his hands full with this ascending Ravens offense. They are sitting quarterback Lamar Jackson this weekend and receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is out as well. Rookie phenom Zay Flowers is doubtful with a calf injury too. If he plays, he will present a challenge as he has been lighting up some of the best defenses in the NFL this season. 

Porter Jr. is making a name for himself in Pittsburgh, one that might sound the same as his dad's, but feels very different. Porter Sr. was loud and aggressive, always the biggest trash talker on the field, but he hit people hard enough to back it up. Porter Jr. is quieter than his father, and while he has no trouble standing up for himself and barking back at opponents who take shots at him, he isn't his dad. While most Steelers fans have a soft spot for Porter Sr., it is refreshing to see that his son better fits into this current evolution of the NFL.  

Other than the fact that they play different positions, what are the similarities and differences you see between Porter Jr. and Porter Sr? Are you surprised he and his father aren't more competitive about their careers?