Steelers DB Cory Trice keeps bouncing back from adversity, maintains confidence in ability

Perspective can allow for a reasonable conclusion that Cory Trice Jr. has had a beleaguered start to his NFL career:

• First came a tumble in the draft from a projected mid-round pick to the bottom half of the final round, where the Pittsburgh Steelers took the cornerback 241st overall.

• Then, a torn ACL — his second in a span of 22 months after injuring the other knee in college — ended his rookie season before he even appeared in a preseason game.

• Next, while finally on the field in 2024, Trice missed another 11 games because of injury (this time, his hamstring).

• Finally, in the most recent game he played, Trice earned his first NFL start … only to allow 10 receptions while in coverage during a regular season-ending loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in January.

A star-crossed career? Maybe, but Trice has maintained his upbeat demeanor — and his confidence.

“All I think about is the opportunity and the moment,” Trice said after an organized team activities session earlier this month. “So, pressure? I mean, it’s a blessing to have the pressure because it means that somebody’s expecting something of you.

“So, I love the pressure, man. I’m looking forward to it. I’m ready to put my best foot forward and show the world and show the team what I’m made of.”

The most recent time most Steelers fans saw the 6-foot-3, 206-pound Trice in a game, it was easily the most extensive playing time he’s had in his abbreviated pro career. It also was a sobering reminder of life in the NFL for a young cornerback.

Assigned for the vast majority of the game to cover one of the NFL’s elite receivers, Ja’Marr Chase, Trice allowed Joe Burrow to throw on-target to Chase nine times (Chase dropped one), accounting for eight receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown in a 19-17 Bengals win.

“Shoot, that was my first game against a big-time (receiver), you know?” Trice said. “There’s everything that comes into that, and then when you get out there, it’s like it’s not really more than what you think it is. You’ve got to just compete on everything.

“So, that time (against Chase) will come back around again, and I’ll be ready. That was one of my first times out. Next time I’ll be ready to go.”

Time will tell, however, if Trice will be tasked again with such an assignment. In that Jan. 4 game, Trice was a starter only because Donte Jackson was out because of injury (for a game that carried little meaning for the Steelers).

It was Trice’s sixth NFL game. He opened the season as the a hybrid piece as part of the Steelers’ dime package on passing downs. Trice was injured during Week 3 and did not return to action until Dec. 21 — coinciding with Jackson going down.

Trice mostly played in Jackson’s stead as an outside cornerback down the stretch. He was a healthy scratch for the first time in his career, though, for the Steelers’ wild-card round playoff loss at Baltimore. Did the coaching staff make that decision as a result of Chase’s big game against him?

“I don’t think they were upset (with his play vs. Cincinnati),” Trice said. “They were actually saying I did a good job and stuff like that. But me, I’m not used to giving up anything. So I was upset. I was really hard on myself.

“I’ve watched that game already like 10 times. So, just learning, man. And when you look at the game, it was like the game just had to slow down for me. It did after that first drive. So, (next time), I’ll be ready to go. I’m ready to go.”

But where will Trice’s “next time” be? Joey Porter Jr. and veteran free-agent acquisition Darius Slay are nailed-down as the starting outside corners. Trice doesn’t fit the size profile of a nickel/slot, so he could be destined again for a dime role, if he has any at all on the defense.

Trice said he prefers the outside but is willing to play anywhere. He said he added some weight over the offseason — suggesting a fit as a hybrid dime ’backer — but maintained the 4.47 speed in the 40 that made him a college standout at Purdue.

The spectrum of possibilities for Trice’s 2025 role in the defense varies from a fringe surprise cut candidate all the way to scenarios where he’s a starter. Few Steelers players have such stakes at training camp.

“I’ve just got to just trust myself. Trust what I see,” Trice said. “Trust everything the coaches show me. Just go out there and play. No thinking. No thinking, just go out there and just play. I’ve just got to ball.”