The Pittsburgh Steelers were widely praised when they landed Cory Trice Jr. in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft. With a rare build and standout athleticism, he looked like a potential starting-caliber cornerback coming out of Purdue.
But his fall to the seventh round had a clear reason: injuries. Trice missed multiple stretches of time in college, and his knee issues were a major red flag. Unfortunately, those concerns have continued into his NFL career.
The hope was that the once-promising prospect could finally shake the injury bug. To his credit, when he has been on the field, Trice has shown real talent, and he aimed to build on a strong second season. That opportunity never came. His practice window has officially closed, ending his 2025 season before it ever began. Given the current shape of the cornerback room, this setback may also mark the end of his time in Pittsburgh.
Cory Trice Jr. may have played his last snap as a Pittsburgh Steeler
The cornerback group has been in flux this season, but several younger players have stepped up. While Darius Slay has struggled and was clearly a short-term piece, the team has seen encouraging development elsewhere.
Joey Porter Jr. has cemented himself as a true No. 1 corner and is headed for a major payday next offseason. Brandon Echols has provided steady play in the slot with the ability to move outside, and James Pierre has looked revitalised in an expanded role.
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If those three return and the Steelers add a rookie, the room suddenly looks deep. With Trice’s durability concerns, it’s far from guaranteed that he’ll have a spot waiting for him next summer.
That’s not to say he’ll be dismissed outright. Trice could still compete for a role, potentially on special teams, where he’ll need to showcase the traits that once made him such an intriguing prospect. A move to safety, a position he played in college, remains a possibility as well, and it may offer a clearer path to sticking on the roster.
Still, the odds are long. Had Trice returned this year and contributed, the conversation might be different. Instead, he’ll remain sidelined for the remainder of the season. And with that, not only has his 2025 door closed—his entire Steelers career may be nearing its end.