Joey Porter Jr. Questions Officiating in Steelers-Bengals Matchup
The Pittsburgh Steelers had a hard time covering Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. But the officiating in the game had something to do with that. At least, that’s what Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. implied while speaking to reporters following the game.
Porter didn’t outright disagree with the officiating and blame the referees for the Steelers loss. The Bengals defeated the Steelers 33-31 on Thursday.
But Porter implied the officials were too quick to throw a flag in favor of the Bengals wideouts.
“We’ve got the guys to do it [cover the Bengals]; they’ve just got to let us play,” said Porter.
“I wasn’t a big fan of the calls with the officiating, but it is what it is. It’s football.”
The officials in Week 7 called Porter for defensive pass interference twice. The first call came in the first quarter when Porter was in coverage on Chase.
The second pass interference call on Porter was when he was covering Higgins just before halftime. That led to a late Cincinnati field goal.
Overall, the Steelers committed seven penalties for 59 yards. The Bengals had four fouls for 35 yards.
Joey Porter Jr. Calls Out Officiating vs. Bengals
It’s tough enough trying to slow down the Bengals elite pass-catchers. When they are getting help from the officials, it’s nearly impossible.
Of course, it likely greatly depends on one’s perspective whether or not the Bengals were getting “help” from the officials. Cincinnati would probably disagree with Porter and say the calls against the Steelers secondary were clearly penalties.
Buccaneers could make blockbuster trade that would make them Super Bowl bound
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could soon be buyers as the NFL trade deadline approaches, and one intriguing name has emerged on their radar.
According to Pro Football Focus, Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson is viewed as a potential trade candidate, and Tampa Bay might be a logical fit.
The Buccaneers are off to a strong start, but adding an elite pass rusher like Hendrickson could take Tampa Bay’s defense to another level as they continue their push for NFC supremacy.
A Top Pass Rusher Possibly on the Move
PFF recently listed Trey Hendrickson among the league’s top trade candidates, noting that despite his standout production, the Bengals could look to sell if their season continues to spiral. “Even though Hendrickson signed a one-year, $29 million contract to remain in Cincinnati this offseason, it doesn’t feel like this song and dance is done just yet,” PFF wrote. “The 2024 All-Pro has been fabulous as usual with a 90.3 PFF pass-rushing grade and an 86.5 overall mark, yet the Bengals’ defense still ranks 29th in EPA per play.”
With Cincinnati sitting at 2-4 and quarterback Joe Burrow sidelined until at least December, the Bengals might be ready to start looking toward the future. And if that’s the case, Hendrickson becomes one of their most valuable trade assets, a pass-rusher still in his prime and producing at an elite level.
Why Hendrickson Fits in Tampa Bay
For the Buccaneers, pursuing Hendrickson would make plenty of sense. Head coach Todd Bowles has built his defense around pressure and disruption up front, and Hendrickson’s relentless motor fits that mold perfectly. Tampa Bay’s defensive front has been solid, but pairing Hendrickson with players like Haason Reddick, Vita Vea, and YaYa Diaby could transform it into one of the NFL’s most dominant units.
Tampa Bay is also in “win-now” mode behind quarterback Baker Mayfield, and Hendrickson’s arrival could be the type of midseason move that elevates a contender. His addition wouldn’t come cheap, but for a team with championship aspirations, it could be worth the price.
If the Bengals decide to sell, expect the Buccaneers to make the call at least. Adding a proven All-Pro edge rusher could be the missing piece to their defensive puzzle.
