Steelers training camp: Joey Porter Jr., DK Metcalf battle; Elliott clears air with Rodgers
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On Saturday, Porter Sr. again had something to celebrate, but this time at Saint Vincent, as the Steelers announced the former linebacker will be inducted into the team's Hall of Honor. The 2025 class also features quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and center Maurkice Pouncey.
'It's an exciting day for the Porter family,' Porter Sr. said. 'For it to get announced today is even more crazy, because it's my son's birthday. … It's just full circle thinking about everything.'
In his eight-year Steelers career, the swaggering linebacker earned a reputation as a hard-hitting, trash-talking competitor who became the emotional leader of the Super Bowl XL team. In addition to four Pro Bowl nods (including three with the Steelers) over his 13-year career, Porter set a standard for the son he named after himself to follow.
'To be honest, I'm trying to follow the exact steps, but even better than him,' Porter Jr. said. 'We don't try to keep it competitive (or) to compare careers, but I definitely want to do everything he did. Plus one. That's what I'm chasing, and he knows that.'
Today the Steelers announced Joey Porter Sr. will be inducted into the Hall of Honor.
With his dad's legacy cemented, to what standard does Joey Jr. hold himself to?
'I definitely want to do everything he did — plus one. That's what I'm chasing and he knows that.' pic.twitter.com/dOe3uJEG2f
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) July 26, 2025
That's exactly who Joey Porter Jr. is.
Like his dad, the third-year Steelers cornerback has never been afraid to tell you he wants the big matchup. Midway through his rookie year, the 32nd pick in the 2023 draft was asked to shadow the opponent's top threat. While he's still growing as a player — and his role will change this year in a remade secondary — training camp in Latrobe gives him plenty of chances to rise to the occasion and continue his development. That's especially true with one of the NFL's most physically imposing receivers, DK Metcalf, on the other side of the ball.
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'Freak of nature,' Porter Jr. said when asked to describe the offseason addition. 'There's not a lot of guys that look like him that can run like him.'
During Saturday's practice, each player had his moment. Early during the Seven Shots segment, Metcalf ran a physical slant route, using his 6-foot-4, 230-pound frame to gain inside position on Porter Jr. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers hit Metcalf right in the numbers for the score.
Later in practice, Porter Jr. got a measure of redemption. He stayed in Metcalf's hip pocket on a fade route. Rodgers tried to give his receiver a chance to make a play, but the pass sailed out of bounds and beyond Metcalf's diving attempt.
At cornerback, the Steelers believe they've turned what was once a weakness into a strength with the additions of Pro Bowlers like Darius Slay and Jalen Ramsey working in the same defensive backfield as Porter. As camp continues, all three defensive backs will be tested by Metcalf, making for must-watch matchups.
'At the end of the day, it's iron sharpening iron,' Porter Jr. said. 'He's going to push me to my limits, and I'm going to try to push him to his.'
In early February, the Instagram account JPA Football posted a picture with Rodgers that said the 41-year-old quarterback was the betting favorite to land in Pittsburgh. Steelers safety DeShon Elliott's response?
'Leave his ass at the retirement home,' Elliott commented from his verified account.
DeShon Elliott not a fan of Aaron Rodgers coming to the Steelers: "Leave his ass at the retirement home" #NFL #Steelers 🤣😂 pic.twitter.com/hZeDKO1IUw
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) February 11, 2025
Though Elliott was far from the only person to share these sentiments, it created a somewhat awkward dynamic when Rodgers did in fact sign with the Steelers four months later. On Saturday, Elliott said he and Rodgers talked about the post, and they're moving past it.
'I'm a (social media) troll,' Elliott said. 'He's an All-Pro, and he's a GOAT. He's going to be a gold jacket guy one day. Honestly, when he got here, we communicated, we talked. He's a great person and a great ball player. Whatever the media put out there is BS. I respect him a lot. I told him that I respect him, and I apologized to him for the things I was saying about him, because honestly, he's a great man. He has a great heart, so I appreciate him, and he's funny as hell.'
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Jalen Ramsey spent the first two days playing primarily as the slot corner in nickel packages and the free safety in the base defense. On Saturday, his versatility continued to shine. With the 34-year-old Slay getting a veteran day off, Ramsey was deployed often as an outside corner in the base defense.
The All-Pro cornerback showed his explosiveness to close on the football, then used every bit of his 6-1 frame and 33-inch arms to reach up and intercept a Rodgers pass intended for tight end Jonnu Smith along the sideline.
'We feel like he can cover anyone,' coach Mike Tomlin said. 'He's a utility back — by that I mean he's versatile. He can play outside, he plays nickel, he plays safety, and that's just a reflection of it. Very versatile and smart, detailed veteran.'
The interception was one part of a tough day for Rodgers. Now look: There will be ebbs and flows to practice, and it would be ill-advised to read into any one throw or practice. That said, this is an observations story meant to bring you inside the ropes and be your eyes and ears.
Though Rodgers had good moments in Seven Shots (especially the aforementioned slant to Mecalf), the Steelers' defense definitely won the day during 11-on-11 and seven-on-seven periods. Lots of balls hit the ground.
The most noteworthy miss was when Rodgers targeted second-year receiver Roman Wilson on a quick out. The two were not on the same page, as the pass sailed out of bounds. After practice, Rodgers walked Wilson through how he wants the route run. For Rodgers to thrive at his age, he and his receivers will need to be in sync on exactly that type of quick throw.
The other concern came when Rodgers tried to drive the ball downfield to Metcalf and overthrew him. In the QB's defense, it's possible he saw the safety late and threw it high intentionally. Still, it was another significant miss on a day when more balls hit the ground than found receivers.
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When Howard trotted out during the initial team period of practice, the crowd erupted. It was by far the biggest reaction of the day. Actually, it was the loudest ovation of camp overall. When Howard completed a pass, the fans went wild again.
'I genuinely did not know that was for me,' the rookie quarterback said. 'I thought it was like Joey Porter did something on the sideline, or Troy (Polamalu) or something.'
Howard might be a sixth-round pick and the fourth quarterback in the rotation behind Skylar Thompson, but already, the fan base can't get enough of him. Perhaps it's a sign of how badly fans want a young QB to lift them out of this cycle of aging, one-year Band-Aids. Even if it's probably wise to pump the brakes and have more realistic expectations for a QB passed over numerous times by all 32 teams, good luck stopping the hype train.
Will Howard: man of the people pic.twitter.com/TuCu1mshCd
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) July 26, 2025
To Howard's credit, he has a level of self-awareness. During the interview, he noticed his farmer's tan in a reporter's sunglasses and poked fun at himself.
'I realize I'm a rookie and really haven't proven anything yet,' he said. 'So I just got to keep playing and doing my thing and having fun.'
Howard has looked solid in his role. A mobile athlete, he's been accurate on the move off of play-action and has been developing nice chemistry with tight end and fellow rookie JJ Galbreath. He talked about how he's been trying to throw the ball 'through' receivers, knowing his arm strength was a knock during the pre-draft process. With Rodgers' help, he's also refining his footwork to generate more power from the ground.
Considering Thompson likely won't make the 53-man roster, the Steelers need to think strongly about increasing Howard's reps and limiting Thompson's.
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Eventually, the Steelers will probably give Rodgers an off-day. Howard will also likely get a ton of playing time in the preseason. Those will be the best chances to evaluate the rookie.
For the second consecutive day, Seven Shots began with a bad shotgun snap from center Zach Frazier. On Friday, the Steelers gave the offense a mulligan. Saturday, they weren't as forgiving, pulling the second-year center for one play before putting him back in.
The defense capitalized on the miscue to win the drills, 4-3.
The defense wins Seven Shots, 4-3.
Another bad snap from Frazier to start the drill the second day in a row. Another nice red zone connection from Rodgers to Metcalf. pic.twitter.com/JQCxzfCHpp
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) July 26, 2025
(Photo of Joey Porter Jr.: Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press)
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