Contract tensions mount as the Pittsburgh Steelers weigh a high-stakes franchise tag against an expensive extension for the penalty-prone cornerback ahead of a critical regular-season negotiations deadline.
With less than 24 hours remaining before the Pittsburgh Steelers begin their season at home against the Atlanta Falcons, it appears unlikely the team will agree to a new deal with cornerback Joey Porter Jr. before kickoff.
The start of the regular season is a deadline for Pittsburgh, who has a history of stopping negotiations during the regular season.
Amid negotiations, Porter has been a limited participant in practice this week due to back issues that caused him to be on the PUP list during training camp. He is questionable to play Sunday, and it remains to be seen if he'd hold out from playing days after head coach Mike McCarthy said everyone was healthy enough to play.
Per Jonathan Jones of The Athletic., the Steelers and Porter engaged in talks this week. But how serious Pittsburgh is to finalizing a deal remains to be seen. There have been talks that Porter wants a new deal around the $30 million mark, and that could be seen as an overpay.
An AFC executive told Jones that the Steelers’ best option might be to take a compensatory pick if he walks in free agency next year or use the franchise-tag, which is always an unfriendly option for the player.
“Is Joey Porter as good as maybe he values himself as?” the executive asked Jones. “I would assume he wants to be around (Patrick) Surtain/(Jaycee) Horn, maybe even higher. And he isn’t to that level of a player.
“Maybe (the Steelers) are willing to take the comp pick or franchise-tag versus committing to a likely overpay.”
The exec suggested Porter creates too many penalties and is one of the reasons why he shouldn't be paid as a top cornerback in the league. His 16 coverage penalties in three years are three more than any other defender in the NFL.
The projected franchise-tag for a cornerback would be $23 million next year, less than the number Porter wants and less than the figure the Steelers reportedly want to give the 2023 second-round pick in a new deal.
Maybe that fear could cause Porter to budge before Sunday. But he could bet on himself this season, which could set him up for a big payday next year as salaries rise.
