New Joey Porter Jr., Steelers trade update emerges after Week 1 decision

After cornerback Joey Porter Jr. did not play for the Pittsburgh Steelers in what became a 20-13 season-opening win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, a report mentioned that "Porter is open to a trade and the Steelers are willing to deal him." 

While that same story also named five potential landing spots for Porter, it seems like no trade is imminent. 

Joey Porter Jr. not yet attracting "a lot of trade interest" due to the Steelers' asking price? 

"The Steelers have been open to listening to offers," ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said about the Porter situation during a Monday appearance on ESPN's "The Pat McAfee Show." 

"So far, for what they would want back, there has not been a lot of trade interest," Schefter continued. "I don't know what would spur that right now. Usually, as we see, these things get done when they have to. The trade deadline would be Nov. 10. Pittsburgh's winning, too. You're not going to want to unload good players. He's not happy with the situation. It's evolving. Let's see where it goes. It's still early."

As Schefter acknowledged, multiple cornerbacks inked big-money deals before Week 1. Most recently, Devon Witherspoon of the Seattle Seahawks signed a four-year, $132M extension in August. Later, Christian Gonzalez of the New England Patriots received a four-year deal worth $135M that reportedly included $102M guaranteed. 

It remains unclear what Porter wants attached to his extension. Porter is under contract, and Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot shared that team reporter Mark Kaboly of "The Pat McAfee Show" said during a Monday appearance on Pittsburgh sports radio station 93.7 The Fan that he thinks the Steelers will hold onto Porter and then retain his rights for 2027 via the franchise tag.

The Steelers seemingly will not abandon their policy of declining to negotiate with a player after the start of a regular season. 

Joey Porter Jr. and the Steelers both being "smart" amid the contract standoff? 

Meanwhile, Porter presumably isn't in "football shape" after he spent the majority of August on the physically unable to perform list with a supposed back injury that he aggravated on the first day of training camp. During Monday's segment, Schefter said that the "conditioning factor" is the "biggest" reason Porter didn't play against Atlanta. 

"It's tough to go out and play the opener at that spot when you haven't practiced at all, all summer long," Schefter continued. "And so, I think that was a part of it. He's had the back issue all summer long. He hasn't practiced. They want to be smart. And I'm sure, let's be honest, that he wants to be really smart about it, being that he doesn't have the deal that he wants." 

Schefter noted that the Steelers and Porter are "in a difficult spot, where they're trying to find a common ground and haven't come close to doing it yet." It remains to be seen if such a compromise can be reached before Pittsburgh's Week 2 game at the 0-1 New England Patriots on Sept. 20.