Since being selected by the Steelers with the 32nd overall pick in 2023, Joey Porter Jr. has gradually emerged as a key player in Pittsburgh’s defense. Speaking on The Christian Kuntz podcast, Porter shared his frustrations regarding the way cornerbacks are officiated in the NFL, specifically highlighting challenges related to contact rules and inconsistent calls. His comments reflect ongoing difficulties faced by defensive backs adapting to league enforcement trends.
Strict “No Contact After Five Yards” Rule Creates Frustration for Defenders
Porter emphasized one of the toughest rules for cornerbacks: no contact beyond five yards from the line of scrimmage. He explained how wide receivers often get away with physical tactics, including pushes or “push-offs” that defenders cannot respond to without being penalized. His frustration is compounded by officials’ reliance on viewing hand usage and arm extension to determine infractions, which can be difficult to judge accurately.
No contact after five [yards], that’s one of the biggest things,
Porter said.
And also realizing it’s an offensive league, like, they’re going to get off on certain things. A wide receiver could legit push off and extend fully, and get away with it, and we can’t tug. And I go to a ref every time, I’m like, ‘How can they get away with that? And they always tell me, if he doesn’t fully extend his arm. How can you see that 40 yards behind me?
The Difficulty of Policing Hand Fighting and Arm Extensions
In practice, defenders like Porter attempt to maneuver within these tight restrictions while disrupting receivers’ routes. Officials tend to watch for fully extended arms or clear jersey grabs to issue penalties, yet subtle hand fighting often goes unnoticed. Porter’s physical style creates a fine line between effective coverage and flagged infractions, which has resulted in frequent penalty trouble early in his career.
During Steelers OTAs, Porter acknowledged the need to improve on minor technique issues that have led to penalties, referencing a game last season where he was flagged six times against the Bengals. Despite not being outmatched in coverage distance, these small errors remain a hindrance.
Proposal for More Officials to Address Coverage Area Blind Spots
Porter advocated for increasing the number of referees on the field to better oversee defensive back play. He pointed out limitations in current officiating assignments, where referees near the line of scrimmage focus mostly on linemen, and those in the secondary may lack clear angles to monitor subtle infractions.
I’m probably gonna get fined for this,
Porter joked.
But that just confuses me. I feel like we should have more refs on the field. ‘Cause the refs on the line of scrimmage, they’re not watching you guys. It’s the refs behind you. So you only got two sets of refs.
While adding officials could potentially cause logistical challenges, Porter’s suggestion highlights a real struggle in enforcement consistency and fairness for cornerbacks operating in tight coverage.
Looking Ahead to Learning From Veterans and Improving Discipline
Although Porter has experienced frustrations with officiating, he has delivered solid performances during his first two NFL seasons. The Steelers anticipate that mentoring from veteran cornerback Darius Slay, scheduled to join in 2025, will help Porter refine his skills and reduce penalty issues. Refining discipline while maintaining physicality will be crucial for Porter as he continues to develop within Pittsburgh’s defensive scheme.
Ultimately, Porter’s comments draw attention to broader debates about the balance between offense and defense in today’s NFL, and how officiating might evolve to better support the physical demands placed on cornerbacks.