The Pittsburgh Steelers have made an offer to CB Joey Porter Jr.
According to NFL insider Mike Garafolo, the Pittsburgh Steelers have made an offer to CB Joey Porter Jr.
However, the two sides are "not close" on a new deal.
Porter Jr. has a base salary of $3,924,000 and a cap hit of $4,922,790 this season. If the Steelers don't sign Porter Jr. to an extension, the talented defender will hit free agency next season.
In 14 games for the Steelers last season, Porter Jr. had one interception, 14 passes defended, one sack and 35 solo tackles.
Porter Jr. has three interceptions and 31 passes defended in 47 games with the Steelers. He's been leaning on his dad and former Steelers player and coach, Joey Porter Sr., for council during the process.
"He's been giving me great advice," Porter Jr. said. "I can't say too much on what he's been saying to me, but he's been giving me great advice. He's been in my corner my whole life, so I wouldn't think he would steer me in the wrong direction."
Porter acknowledged that his contract negotiation process has been difficult. The Steelers open the 2026 season against the Atlanta Falcons.
"It's been tough, not going to lie," Porter Jr. said. "It's my first go around [with] this, but I mean, it's been also great because I have all my guys with me, all the coaches and players really are on my side, really understand everything about the business side of things. ... But at the end of the day, it is what it is."
Porter Jr. wouldn't commit to playing Week 1 when asked if he would do so without a contract extension. Pittsburgh has to be careful here. In Aaron Rodgers' last NFL campaign, the last thing the Steelers need is for a star defender to be unhappy.
"I learned this in my early years as a head coach: You have to separate the business and football," Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said. "Sometimes it's easier than others. This is a challenge for both Joey and us because we're first-year staff. We've seen them play, compete against Joey.
"I would love the opportunity to coach Joey Porter. I know our defensive guys would love the opportunity. So we're at an impasse right here, and you've got to respect that. Every one of us has a contract. The organization, they have beliefs and so forth. But yeah, that's just kind of where we are."
