Steelers and CB Joey Porter Jr. seem to be at contract stalemate

The Pittsburgh Steelers have spent the offseason locking in several of their young players to long-term contract extensions, including three key players from their 2023 NFL Draft class (defensive tackle Keeanu Benton, outside linebacker Nick Herbig and tight end Darnell Washington).

Perhaps the most prominent player from that draft class who has not yet been extended is starting cornerback Joey Porter Jr., and he might be the best and most impactful player from that group.

There now seems to be some growing concern as to whether or not that deal will get done before the start of the regular season. 

If there is even a deal to get done.

Steelers and Joey Porter Jr. seem to be at stalemate

The big obstacle for the two sides seems to be a disagreement over where Porter Jr. ranks among the NFL's best cornerbacks.

In his mind, he reportedly views himself on the same level as Devon Witherspoon (Seattle Seahawks) and Christian Gonzalez (New England Patriots) and wants to be paid accordingly.

The Steelers may not be prepared to go that high and may not view him on their level.

There is also a question of whether or not the Steelers value cornerbacks as highly as, say, players in their front seven. Throughout the Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin eras, the Steelers always valued the pass rush more than defensive backs, and they felt that if they could disrupt opposing quarterbacks by getting to them, it would negate the need to have elite defensive back play.

That might change under new head coach Mike McCarthy, but it would certainly explain, at least in part, why Herbig, the No. 3 outside linebacker on the roster, and Benton, an emerging but not yet great defensive lineman, would be priorities for extensions this offseason. 

(The fact they are likely cheaper than Porter Jr. also probably played a role in that.)

Multiple reports out of Pittsburgh, including from Steelers beat writers Chris Halicke and Mark Kaboly, suggest that there is little optimism for a long-term deal before the season begins. That is significant news because the Steelers have a long-standing organizational policy of not conducting contract negotiations during the regular season. That means if Porter is not signed before the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, he will have to play out this year of his contract and deal with the possibility of a franchise tag next offseason. 

Given the way Porter played in 2025, there is a strong argument to be made he can be one of the league's best cornerbacks. But that was also a significant improvement from his first two years in the league. He has not yet shown the consistency year-to-year that puts him on the same level as Witherspoon and Gonzalez. Another season like that in 2026 would help him get there. 

Porter has not practiced yet in training camp, and it remains to be seen if this situation will carry over in to him missing regular-season games.