Ben Roethlisberger Questions Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr's Future In Pittsburgh With Uncomfortable Offseason Looming

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted cornerback Joey Porter Jr. with the first pick of the second round (No. 32 overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft. Obviously, the son of former Steelers linebacker and team leader Joey Porter Sr., he entered his Steelers career with high expectations to live up to his father’s legacy. In the 2026 season, it will be Porter’s final season under his rookie deal. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2027.

With the way Porter has developed and the way he played in the 2025 NFL season, he has certainly proven he is worth whatever top dollar is offered for cornerbacks. His combination of size, speed, and football IQ has allowed him to emerge as a key piece of the Steelers’ secondary. Whether it is breaking up crucial passes or locking down top wide receivers, Porter has shown the consistency and impact that teams covet in a top-tier cornerback.

Steelers General Manager Omar Khan clearly recognizes the value he has in Porter and knows the team does not want to risk losing him in free agency. Porter’s performance has made it obvious that he has the potential to be a foundational player for the franchise for years to come. However, Steelers' former great quarterback Ben Roethlisberger echoed an interesting perspective when speaking on his podcast, Footbahlin, on Tuesday evening. 

"You can still go corner. I think they are going to have some questions about what they are going to do moving forward with JPJ [Joey Porter Jr.]," Roethlisberger said. "When he is done with that rookie deal, I think he has played really well. There is going to be money that is going to have to be thrown. Either the Steelers are going to have to be like, 'Yes, we are going to pay top dollar,' or they are going to move on."

Porter’s future in Pittsburgh is clearly one of the league’s most intriguing storylines heading into that 2027 season, with the Steelers facing critical decisions about retaining their emerging star. 

However, for now, the Steelers' new head coach Mike McCarthy has plenty of huge choices he must make before the 2026 season kicks off. For starters, Roethlisberger wants to know what the plan is for the future of the cornerback position.

"Are they going to build at the position? Obviously Asante [Samuel Jr.] maybe not long-term, or maybe he is, but they got Jamel Dean. Maybe you draft a guy," Roethlisberger said. "With the potential of losing JPJ, we can just go to the next guy. If not, then we are going to have to sign him to a big contract."

Now, Roethlisberger wasn’t saying the Steelers shouldn’t sign Porter. He made it clear that he has been extremely impressed by Porter’s play and definitely believes he is worth top dollar. He was simply pointing out that anytime there is a star, like what happened with TJ Watt, conversations about paying top dollar naturally emerge in the business side of the NFL.

Steelers Continue Strong Free Agency Push

The Steelers have made some exciting moves to shore up the secondary in free agency when they signed Jamel Dean and later Jaquan Brisker. Both moves were investments in the defense, with Dean more so than Brisker. 

However, Brisker took more of a hometown discount to come play in the Steel City. This Steelers secondary should be strong heading into 2026 and beyond thanks to the aggressive free agency push Pittsburgh made. The team’s young talent, including Porter, complements these veteran additions perfectly.

Please feel free to share your Steelers takes and thoughts with me on X (@anthonyghalkias) and consider following for more Steelers-related content and discussion. I read and respond. 

#SteelerNation