Former Steelers QB3 Charlie Batch Detailed The Mesmerizing Work Ethic That Joey Porter Jr. Brings Back To Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers are bringing in a player that former dependable depth quarterback, Charlie Batch is very familiar with. Batch and Joey Porter Sr.'s tenure overlapped in Pittsburgh for four years, but Batch missed all of the 2004 season with an injury. He got to know the team's 2023 second-round pick, Joey Porter Jr., pretty well over the years and is really excited to see him continue his father's legacy in the black and gold. 

The longtime Steelers backup quarterback, who came to the team after starting in 46 games for the Detroit Lions, recently joined former Steelers linebacker, Arthur Moats to chat about all things Steeler football. When the chatter came to the draft, special attention was paid to the team's familial selection. 

"You know the pedigree you're getting with the Porter name with his father and the career he had with the Steelers," he said. "I've been fortunate to watch little Joey grow up since he was five or six years-old and just seeing him put that work in."

Porter Sr., for the record, was a three-time Pro Bowler, an AP All-Pro once, and a Super Bowl Champion while racking up 10 interceptions, eight forced fumbles, and 60 sacks in Pittsburgh. Those are some pretty tough numbers to live up to, but Porter Jr. already has some training against one of the best receivers to play the game that could help to give him an edge. Also in his corner helping him to be the best he can be is Patrick Peterson. The veteran free agent signing from the Minnesota Vikings brings a ton of experience and is expected to be a role model to him.   

Steelers' Batch On Process Of Watching Porter Jr. Get Back To Pittsburgh

Batch has plenty of memories watching Porter Jr. grow up, but some that stand out are away from the football field. One of the branches of Batch's foundation is a track and field club in the Pittsburgh area that compete in sanctioned meets across the United States called Next Level Athletics. Porter Jr. was a member and Batch said the talent level was obvious. It was special to watch him work.

"Everyone was trying to figure out what position he was going to play," he said of Porter Jr. coming out of high school where Batch kept a close eye on him. "He was a receiver, he was a returner, he was a defensive back, he did everything at North Allegheny. Just to see him stay humble and stay the course. I remember it like yesterday that Penn State was showing up at North Allegheny to recruit him."

The influence of Porter Sr. has been a hot topic during his son's draft process, including an extremely emotional moment shared between the two at the draft and Batch thinks that all the extra work the two have put together over the years should help pay off. 

"Now he gets a chance to separate himself from his father," Batch said. "But at the same time, we know what we're going to get from that Porter regime and I know he's super excited about it."  

How excited are you to see Joey Porter Jr. make his debut?