CB Joey Porter Jr. Unhappy With Steelers Negotiations

With the Steelers famously not conducting contract talks in-season, barely two weeks remain until the sides’ 2026 negotiating deadline. But with Pittsburgh not making Porter a formal offer yet, as Fowler confirms a recent report indicating as such, the team’s message appears to be for the former second-round pick to play out his rookie deal. The fact that the Steelers have paid other players — including 2023 draftees Darnell Washington, Nick Herbig and Keeanu Benton — may also be contributing to Porter’s dissatisfaction with his situation, per Fowler.

Since Porter became extension-eligible in January, the cornerback market has moved slightly. The Rams (Trent McDuffie), Browns (Denzel Ward) and Seahawks (Devon Witherspoon) have moved the market, which settled at $33MM per year following Seattle’s agreement. Unlike All-Pro Christian Gonzalez, Porter should not be considered a candidate to break that record. A wide gap would seem to have formed between player and team here.

No corners reside between Jaycee Horn‘s $25MM-per-year pact and Derek Stingley Jr.‘s $30MM-AAV accord. I mentioned in an offseason Trade Rumors Front Office chat a deal in that range could be a way to solve the Porter issue, but we heard early in training camp no serious negotiations had taken place. With no formal offer being made by late August, Fowler points to the Steelers wanting the second-generation NFL defender to play out his rookie deal.

Trade rumors have emerged here, but it is not believed the Steelers are shopping their top outside corner. Pittsburgh has, however, seen 2025 addition Asante Samuel Jr. impress during training camp and the preseason; Samuel would start opposite Jamel Dean if Porter is not in the picture. It is worth wondering if Porter would be a full-time player at this point given how much practice time he has missed.

The Steelers generally hammer out deals with core players in the summer; being the son of former Pittsburgh linebacker Joey Porter, the irked cornerback is quite familiar with how the franchise operates. Absent a deal before Week 1, the Steelers would have until the 2027 legal tampering period to negotiate with Porter following the season. A franchise tag would be available here, should Porter impress in a contract year. Based on recent developments, though, there seems to be a better chance Porter plays out his rookie pact than reaches and extension before Week 1.