“That’s the matchup I need!” Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. reveals he specifically requested HC Mike Tomlin to follow star WR DeAndre Hopkins during TNF game against the Titans

Joey Porter Jr. guarded Hopkins for 26 out of his 36 routes on Thursday.

“That’s the matchup I need!” Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. reveals he specifically requested HC Mike Tomlin to follow star WR DeAndre Hopkins during TNF game against the Titans

(L) DeAndre Hopkins; (R) Joey Porter Jr. (Via Open Source/X)

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. lives in his dream moment and does not want to lose it. In his second start of this season, the player silenced a player like DeAndre Hopkins throughout Thursday Night Football. At the end of the match with the Tennessee Titans, the CB revealed that he asked his head coach to give him this opportunity to shadow Hopkins.

His coach relied on the young blood and provided the opportunity. As a result, the Steelers won the game by 20-16. In the post-match presentation, the young CB was spotted shedding light on the moment.

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Addressing the press, Porter Jr. said,

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On Tuesday, I went to Coach T (Mike Tomlin) and told him, I want 10 (Hopkins). That’s what I was looking for, and I don’t hide from that. That’s the matchup I want; that’s the one I need. He told me they would think about it, but throughout the week, they would give some reps, and throughout the game, it was going where he was. 

Porter had a brilliant game against the Tennessee Titans. He guarded Hopkins for 26 out of his 36 routes and pressed up on 77% of those. In addition to this, the CB allowed Hopkins for just 17 yards with five targets. The CB was so clinical in defending passes that only one out of seven targets on his way was completed. Simply a magisterial performance by this rookie starter.

This game could be his stepping stone in the NFL world. The player wants to keep his good form and also wants to produce more magic on the turf for his team. 

“That’s what every cornerback dreams of doing. But throughout the gameplan, whatever they keep giving us, I’ll keep working with it,” he added.

From college football to senior league; Joey Porter Jr. has proved to be an incredible talent 

Joey Porter Jr. played his college football at Penn State. He was selected in the year 2017 and had three seasons with his college team. Porter Jr. had 113 combined tackles, 86 solos and 27 assisted with two tackles for loss.

Joey Porter Jr.
Joey Porter Jr. (Via Imago/X)

With interesting stats and a very good physique, the player attracted the NFL managers, and, as a result; he was drafted for the 2023-24 season by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has played in eight games so far.

Joey’s father was also a Steelers player. Joey Porter Sr. used to play as a linebacker. He was a Steelers man for most of the time. Apart from the Steelers, he also represented the Arizona Cardinals. Porter Sr. registered 689 total tackles with 98 sacks in his career. 

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