Amid contract talks, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been predicted to trade cornerback Joey Porter Jr. before the NFL season.
With the NFL season starting in less than a week, the Pittsburgh Steelers are dealing with some unnecessary contract situations.
Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and the team have been engaging in talks on a new deal, but the Steelers have recently said that they want to delay those discussions. This didn't sit well with Porter, and he has been weighing his options.
This has led to rumors swirling that the team could trade him, even if the preference would be to keep him around. But if the two sides can't come to terms before the year starts, and Porter wants to sit out of games, Pittsburgh's hands may be tied.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report came up with a trade idea that could be a win-win for each side. Here is how a deal could look, with the Steelers sending Porter to the Detroit Lions:
Lions receive: CB Joey Porter Jr.
Steelers receive: 2027 1st-Round Pick
Landing a first-round pick for Porter would be nice for the Steelers, but losing a proven player would hurt. Porter has been a big part of the team's defensive schemes, and if he moves on or sits out, it could be detrimental to the team.
Last season, Porter started 14 games for Pittsburgh, posting 52 total tackles. He also had one sack and one interception for the team.
Porter recently gave more insight into the situation, saying things are being taken day-by-day at this time.
"Really can't speak too much about the future," Porter said. "But today I was out there today running with the guys, still trying to get back fully, but we're going to take it day by day for the most part. And that's the same page me and Coach have been on so far."
All the Steelers can do is hope for the best when it comes to Porter. But the cornerback deserves to be paid, and the team needs to make something happen to avoid more frustration.
"I mean, I could hope and think all day," Porter said. "But it's really, it's up to those guys upstairs, and what they want to do with this team. So all I could do is just show up every day to work and be prepared."
Porter would love to stay with the Steelers, but if they can't agree on a deal, sending him to a team like the Lions could make sense. This would be the worst-case scenario for the Steelers, but the longest that this goes on, the more likely a trade could happen.
