Pittsburgh Steelers Star Defender Has Blunt Assessment Of Joint Practice With Bucs

The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for the 2025 season, but their joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past week exposed some areas that still need attention. Following the session, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. didn’t hold back in calling out the team’s performance, emphasizing the need for urgency, energy, and execution.

Porter’s candid critique sheds light on a defense that has often been the backbone of Pittsburgh’s success. But as the Steelers prepare to make a run in a highly competitive AFC North, this practice serves as an early wake-up call.

“We Came Out Flat”: Joey Porter Jr.’s Honest Take

Joint practices are an invaluable opportunity for NFL teams; they allow players to compete against unfamiliar opponents, simulate live-game conditions, and iron out details prior to the season. Unfortunately for the Steelers, their joint session with the Buccaneers left much to be desired—at least according to Joey Porter Jr.

“We came out a little flat. Flatter than usual,” Porter said of the team’s overall energy level during the practice. “We’ve got to fix that. Come out stronger.”

Porter’s remarks underscore a frustrating theme from the session—low energy and inconsistent execution. The Bucs capitalized on the Steelers’ sluggishness, punctuating one two-minute drill with a Baker Mayfield-to-Mike Evans touchdown against Pittsburgh’s highly touted defense. For a unit that has set a high standard in training camp, this lapse was noticeable.

“It’s very much understood,” Porter stated, addressing the need for improvement. “We know we have to come out way better and show way better swag and way better communication.”

Pittsburgh Steelers: The Importance of Energy in Practices

Porter’s comments highlight a critical, but often overlooked, component of practice—energy. When intensity is lacking, mistakes can pile up, habits slip, and the execution suffers. For the Steelers, a slow start in practice serves as a reminder that success on the field requires a complete and focused effort from snap to whistle.

The urgency to correct these lapses is magnified by the stakes. With coordinator Brian Flores returning to guide the defense, consistency and preparation will be key to establishing dominance early in the 2025 campaign.

Practices set the tone for this consistency. By failing to bring the energy necessary to compete with a physical Buccaneers team, the Pittsburgh Steelers risk losing valuable opportunities to fine-tune their communication and assignments.

Linebacker Patrick Queen echoed Porter’s concerns, especially in light of the two-minute drill touchdown. “We’re talking, we’re communicating, seeing everything,” Queen said. “We just have to execute.” His comments reinforce Porter’s message about attention to detail and execution being just as important as raw energy.

What It Means for the Steelers’ Defense

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense has long been a hallmark of the franchise—a unit that strikes fear into opponents and sets the tone for the entire team. But as offenses around the league evolve, even a talented group like Pittsburgh’s has to remain sharp and disciplined to maintain its edge.

For Porter, preparation and energy in practice are non-negotiable. Heading into his second season, the former first-round pick has the confidence to challenge his team to meet higher standards. It’s a bold move, but one that reflects the culture head coach Mike Tomlin has cultivated in Pittsburgh—where players at every level are encouraged to lead and hold each other accountable.

The joint practice may have been just one bad day, but it highlighted some vulnerabilities that need addressing. Communication, swag (confidence), and execution must combine if the Steelers’ defense wants to become the dominant force fans expect each Sunday.

Turning Lessons Into Action

The good news for the Steelers? There’s still time to turn things around. With several preseason games remaining, the defense will have further opportunities to assess schemes, refine assignments, and regain its mojo. Preparing for these exhibition games will require the same full-tilt mentality Porter believes was missing during the joint practice.

Additionally, the Steelers’ talent pool on defense remains elite. From Joey Porter Jr.’s lockdown potential to elite contributors like Minkah Fitzpatrick and T.J. Watt, the pieces are in place for Pittsburgh’s defense to excel. The key will be ensuring those pieces work cohesively and stay motivated day in and day out.

One way to achieve this could be focusing more on situational drills in practice, such as the two-minute scenarios where the Steelers faltered against the Buccaneers. Simulating high-stress situations and demanding high energy could help the defense respond better when adversity hits.

Final Thoughts

Joey Porter Jr.’s candid comments on the Steelers’ joint practice performance with the Buccaneers serve as a rallying cry for a team with championship aspirations. While the defense has been a bright spot for much of training camp, its lack of energy and inconsistent execution exposed areas that still require work.

Porter’s willingness to call out the unit shows his growth as a leader and his understanding of what’s required to succeed in the NFL. If the Steelers can take this feedback to heart, refocus their approach in practice, and bring their trademark intensity, their defense could re-establish itself as one of the league’s most feared.

The season is approaching quickly, and for Pittsburgh, every practice counts.