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This Young Steelers Star Was Robbed Of An All-Pro Nod In 2025
Dec 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) reacts in the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

This Young Steelers Star Was Robbed Of An All-Pro Nod In 2025

Originally posted on Stadium Rant  |  By Drew Palmer  |  Last updated Jan 10, 2026 8:03 PM ET

The 2025 NFL regular season has come to an end, and the Associated Press has released the All-Pro teams. A Pittsburgh Steelers player was flat-out robbed of the honors this season, not even receiving any votes for the first or second team. After reviewing the numbers, it is robbery on the highest level, especially to this Steelers player who deserved it more than anyone. They held him out of the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro team this season. 

Highway Robbery

Outside of Pittsburgh, nobody wants to talk about the incredible season that Joey Porter Jr put together. He has quietly blossomed into one of the best young cornerbacks in football, but he isn’t getting the recognition that he deserves, and it is absurd. In 14 games this season, Porter had one interception, 14 passes defended, one sack, 52 total tackles, and 35 solo tackles. He was targeted 66 times and allowed 32 receptions for a 48.5% completion rate. 

Porter hasn’t allowed a touchdown since Week 8 of the 2023 season. That is 1,467 regular-season snaps without allowing a touchdown, and he’s matched up with opponents’ top weapons more times than not. It has been a while since a cornerback played like this in the Steel City, but that’s no excuse for him to be overlooked. His All-Pro snub might help the Steelers when it’s time to discuss a contract extension, but it is unfair to Porter that he isn’t getting the accolades he deserves. 

Crunching The Numbers

Aside from Derek Stingley Jr, Porter’s numbers trump all of the other All-Pro cornerbacks. Quinyon Mitchell was the other first-teamer, but Porter is better on almost every level. Pat Surtain II and Devon Witherspoon were the second team selections, and Porter outplayed them as well. It makes sense that Surtain would get the nod. He’s the best cornerback in football on most occasions, but Porter was better than him this year. Witherspoon getting the selection is blasphemous. Robbery on the highest level. The Steelers star didn’t get one single vote, but Donte Jackson did. Comical.

Mitchell had fewer tackles, more receptions allowed, and more touchdowns allowed than Porter. Surtain didn’t have as many passes defended, fewer tackles, more receptions, and more touchdowns allowed than Porter. Witherspoon only played 12 games and defended fewer passes while allowing almost a 70% completion rate when opposing quarterbacks looked his way. He also allowed two touchdowns. It doesn’t matter how it gets packaged; Porter had a better season than all of those players. The voters got this one wrong. 

End Of My Steelers Rant

Only one Steelers player made an All-Pro team this season, and it was 36-year-old Cam Heyward. He made the second team, and he deserved it. At his age, he is playing on an unbelievable level right now. The second team selection feels right, due to the outstanding play of Jeffery Simmons and Zach Allen, who both had amazing seasons. They are young, spry cats, and Heyward is keeping up with them as he approaches 40 years old. At least one Steelers player got the recognition that he deserved. 

This article first appeared on Stadium Rant and was syndicated with permission.

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