Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's whether the 2025 season is make or break for cornerback Joey Porter Jr.

Porter has had a solid first two seasons as the Steelers' starting cornerback, and there's plenty of reason to be optimistic about the player that he's already become. But there's also nothing physically stopping him from being one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.

With his rookie contract set to expire after the 2026 season, this year will be the last chance for Porter to put down tape that he will get paid on. So is this a make-or-break season for the Penn State product? Alan breaks it down.

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Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's what we're watching for during the first day of OTAs at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Tuesday.

It's football in shorts, but there's still a lot that can be learned from the six days of OTAs this year, starting with attendance, the reduced schedule, and including players with things to prove from 2024, and the first look at several new additions in black and gold. 

So what are we watching for? Alan breaks it down.

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Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's the leadership of president Art Rooney II.

Rooney is a behind-the-scenes presence for the most part, letting general manager Omar Khan and head coach Mike Tomlin do most to the talking for the team, but he's still an integral part of the team's decision-making process.

So what kind of leader is Rooney for the Steelers organization? Alan breaks it down.

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Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, and his ability to mentor the team's next quarterback.

The Steelers have a plan to trade up to draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, finally addressing the position after several missteps in the aftermath of the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger. But is Smith the right guy for the job to develop a rookie quarterback?

It's not anything he's ever done before in his two seasons as Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator and three as Atlanta Falcons head coach, but there are some reasons to think that Smith will be capable of molding a talented passer, especially his success in resurrecting the careers of Ryan Tannehill and Justin Fields.

So can Smith be the Steelers' quarterback whisperer? Alan breaks it down.

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Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's how new wide receiver DK Metcalf will handle being the top dog -- and maybe the only real threat at outside receiver.

Metcalf has always been part of a deep group of wide receivers with the Seattle Seahawks, splitting targets with Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba the last two seasons.

With Pittsburgh right now, he looks like he's the whole show, as the Steelers appear to once again be set to enter the season with just one solid option at outside receiver. Veteran Robert Woods, special teamer Ben Skowronek and undrafted rookie Roc Taylor appear to be the best options to help ease the pressure on Metcalf at this point -- not exactly a threatening list.

So how will Metcalf handle the pressure? Alan breaks it down.

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