Amid contract negotiations, Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is being predicted to land a massive contract next year.
As the NFL season gets going next week, the Pittsburgh Steelers are dealing with ongoing contract issues around cornerback Joey Porter Jr, stemming from the lack of a desire to give him a long-term deal.
Porter has given some thought to sitting out games until this is handled, which would be a blow to the Steelers' secondary. Pittsburgh's defense already has some big questions around it with Porter, so this entire situation has been tough to watch play out.
Pittsburgh has wanted to place the contract negotiations on the back burner, but Porter wants to handle it now. This has caused a disconnect, and it's been an unnecessary distraction ahead of the new year.
Porter is scheduled to make $3.9 million this coming season, the year before he can hit free agency. It makes sense that he may want to get a new deal done with the Steelers, but it does take two to tango in negotiations.
This entire storyline has consumed the Steelers as they try to prepare for the start of the new NFL season. So until this gets handled, Porter will remain in the headlines.
But the Steelers cornerback has been mentioned as a top free agent next season. And if the Steelers aren't careful, he could walk.
NFL analyst Kristopher Knox has predicted that Porter will receive a three-year, $74 million deal next year. This could be from Pittsburgh or another team if the two sides can't come together on a new contract.
Porter has been one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL of late, adding a lot to the Pittsburgh secondary. Last season, Porter played in 14 games, posting 52 total tackles with one sack and one interception.
There have been some trade thoughts on this situation, with NFL insider Mike Garafolo weighing in on it all.
"[Porter Jr.] was asked if you don't get a deal done, are you gonna play Week 1? And he said, 'I don't know, I got to go talk to my agents about that.' Now, my understanding is that's something that's at least been discussed in his camp," Garafolo said. "Is it a threat? Is it something just to get the Steelers to move, or is it something that he really might follow through on?"
The hope for the Steelers is that they can resolve this issue before the new year kicks off. But if they can't, it may linger into the season, which would be a mistake on multiple fronts.
The Steelers will open the new 2026 season against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 13, kicking off the Mike McCarthy era for the franchise.
