Steelers' Omar Khan Confirms Contract Extensions Are Happening Behind The Scenes

The Pittsburgh Steelers have many key contract extensions to handle before the 2027 season. The Steelers' 2023 draft class is eligible for new deals, and some include many important starters. The most important of the bunch are cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and outside linebacker Nick Herbig. Pittsburgh needs to get these done quickly, as the two will have big markets next offseason. Other starters from that class are in need of extensions too. The front office will have to figure out who will be a part of the team's long-term plans and who they'll let walk. 

The Steelers are projected to have $57 million in cap space in 2027. The issue is they have so many quality players to sign, but that amount of cap space should be a good amount of money to retain some of their superstars. Porter will likely be the most expensive, but his rise in play over the last two seasons has established him as a top-tier cornerback. He has been able to shut down some of the league's best receivers, and hasn't allowed a touchdown in coverage over the last two seasons, either. 

In Herbig's case, he has seen limited action based on the stars that play in front of him. However, in 2025, he played only 60% of the defensive snaps, but had seven-and-a-half sacks. He has found a way to make the most of every snap, and an increased role would be beneficial for him. It's just whether he'll find that in Pittsburgh or not. Steelers General Manager Omar Khan spoke on former Steelers defenders James Harrison and Joe Haden's podcast, Deebo & Joe, to discuss the future contract extensions. 

"We're in a good situation in the sense that we have some good young players. Realistically, you would love to get them all, probably doesn't always happen that way, just constraints with the cap and other things," Khan explained. "We're talking to some guys, and we'll see where it goes, but it's a good situation to be in. I love our group of young guys here. There are a lot of guys we hope will play double-digit years."

The 2023 draft class was full of hits, and trying to retain all of them will be extremely difficult while trying to add more players to the roster. Khan and his staff will have to make some hard decisions on which players they want to use as building blocks and which they're okay with letting go. Porter will be at the top of the list along with Herbig, but key role players like tight end Darnell Washington and defensive lineman Keeanu Benton will be others who are in line for an extension. 

Khan can't speak publicly about the specifics of contract negotiations, but the fact that he was willing to share that things are happening should have Steelers fans hopeful that some of the team's best young talent could be staying in the Steel City. Pittsburgh's young core has been very impactful in games, so making sure they're kept around will only help the Steelers maintain their winning ways. Khan has found some hidden gem talent in the mid-rounds of recent NFL Drafts, but now he has a good and bad situation on his hands. A lot of good players, but they have to fit under the cap. 

The Steelers Need To Keep Porter Around

Porter has proven to be one of the league's best at his position. Cornerbacks have been taking the market by storm with how much they're being paid. Porter's contract won't look so bad in the future, as the market expands. His play has just been spectacular, and he'll be a cornerstone of the franchise if he keeps it up. 

Pittsburgh is known for its defense, and the AFC North has plenty of star receivers whom Porter has been known to keep at bay. He's a must-have for any defense, and locking him up will be crucial for the Steelers' future.

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