The AFC North is notorious for its fierce rivalries, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for mutual respect among its elite competitors. Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase recently proved that point during his appearance on the July 11 episode of The Sitdown w/ Malik Wright, where he gave a surprising amount of credit to one of his team’s biggest rivals—the Pittsburgh Steelers.
When asked to name his top NFL cornerbacks, Chase didn’t hesitate to acknowledge the talent of the revamped Steelers secondary. His first pick was Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward, a four-time Pro Bowler known for his speed, agility, and sticky man coverage. But what turned heads was the rest of Chase’s list: he followed up Ward’s selection by naming three players from the Steelers’ defensive backfield.
“Joey Porter Jr.’s pretty smooth,” Chase said during the interview. “He’s just long. He makes it hard to get separation.”
Chase also gave a nod to the Steelers’ newest additions, All-Pro veterans Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay. “It’s gonna be fun going against Ramsey and Slay,” he added. “I had the opportunity to go against Slay last year and Ramsey during my rookie season. That’s four. I’m gonna go with four.”
Chase’s praise underscores what many analysts and fans have already noted this offseason: the Pittsburgh Steelers’ secondary is shaping up to be one of the most formidable defensive units in the NFL heading into the 2025 season.
Joey Porter Jr., who enters his second year in the league, has quietly become one of the most underrated lockdown cornerbacks in the game. His size, wingspan, and technique make him a difficult matchup for even the league’s top receivers. Porter earned high marks as a rookie and is expected to take an even bigger leap in his sophomore campaign.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s front office made major moves this offseason to bolster the defense, starting with a blockbuster trade that brought Jalen Ramsey over from the Miami Dolphins. Ramsey, a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, is still considered one of the premier cornerbacks in football despite battling through injuries in recent years.
The Steelers weren’t finished there. After winning Super Bowl LIX with the Philadelphia Eagles, veteran cornerback Darius Slay chose to sign with Pittsburgh in free agency. With five Pro Bowl appearances and one All-Pro selection under his belt, Slay brings leadership, savvy, and elite coverage ability to an already stacked defensive backfield.
Together, Ramsey and Slay bring a combined 13 Pro Bowl selections and four All-Pro honors to Pittsburgh’s secondary. Add in the rising star power of Porter Jr., and it’s no wonder Ja’Marr Chase singled out the Steelers’ trio as some of the toughest defenders he’ll face this season.
Fans won’t have to wait long to see this matchup in action. The Steelers and Bengals are set to clash on Thursday Night Football in Week 7 when Pittsburgh travels to Cincinnati. For Chase, it will be his first chance to test himself against the newly assembled cornerback group in a high-stakes AFC North showdown.
With respect and rivalry both in play, expect fireworks when these teams meet under the primetime lights.