The Pittsburgh Steelers still have a major contract situation to solve with Joey Porter Jr., and the timing may be just as important as the final number. Porter is already one of the organization’s most important young players, but the cornerback market around him could make this negotiation more complicated if Pittsburgh waits too long.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan speaking with members of the media.
Porter’s case is different from some of the other top young cornerbacks around the league. He was the first pick of the second round in the 2023 NFL Draft, which means the Steelers do not have the same fifth-year option luxury that teams have with first-round players. That gives Pittsburgh less team control and more urgency to find a long-term answer before the situation becomes even more expensive.
Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently explained why the Steelers may be motivated to get Porter’s deal done before other cornerbacks from his draft class reset the market. During an appearance shared by 93.7 The Fan, Fittipaldo pointed to Devon Witherspoon and Christian Gonzalez as players who could affect Porter’s price.
“I think the Steelers are motivated for that reason,” Fittipaldo said. “The Patriots and the Seahawks can go into next offseason with the same option because they have the fifth-year option. Joey was the first pick of the second round. It would probably be smart for them to get that deal done before Witherspoon and Gonzalez get done. You probably do want to get it done for around $25 million a year, I think 27-28 is a little rich for Joey’s caliber.”
That is the central tension of the negotiation. Porter is good enough to be paid like a high-end cornerback, but the Steelers still have to decide where his value fits compared to the very top of the market. If the number lands around $25 million per year, Pittsburgh can probably live with it. If the asking price starts pushing closer to $28 million or higher, the conversation becomes more uncomfortable.
Barry Reeger / Imagn Images
Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. walks off the field after a win over the Cleveland Browns in 2025.
The Steelers have already seen how quickly these markets can move. Once one player signs, the next player’s camp usually uses that deal as the new starting point. Witherspoon and Gonzalez both have strong reputations and first-round pedigree, and if either one signs a massive extension first, Porter’s side could point to that contract during negotiations.
That is why waiting can be dangerous. The Steelers may not be able to control what Porter wants, but they can control whether they allow other deals to happen first. Pittsburgh has already worked through several important extensions this offseason, but Porter’s deal has always felt like the biggest one left. He plays a premium position, he is young, and he is already central to the defense.
SteelerNation recently covered how Porter’s situation could become a nightmare contract prediction for Pittsburgh if the market gets away from them. That is not just a theoretical concern. Cornerback is one of the most expensive positions in football, and the Steelers are trying to pay for future performance as much as past production.
Porter’s supporters can make a strong argument. He has the frame, physicality, and coverage ability that teams want in an outside corner. He can match up with big receivers, play press coverage, and handle difficult assignments. Interception numbers may not fully reflect his impact because quarterbacks are often careful about challenging him.
The counterargument is also real. Porter has not yet built the same complete statistical profile as some of the league’s true market-setting defensive backs. He is still developing, and the Steelers have to be careful about paying him based only on projection. Fittipaldo’s point about $27 million or $28 million being rich for Porter’s current caliber reflects that hesitation.
Adam Hunger / Associated Press
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez pictured walking on the playing surface as he gets ready to take the field.
Still, the Steelers cannot treat this like an ordinary negotiation. Porter is not an easily replaceable player. Pittsburgh has invested heavily in the defense, and keeping young homegrown talent has to remain part of the plan. Letting a player like Porter get close to the open market would create a much bigger problem than slightly overpaying on a long-term extension.
There is also the locker room element. The Steelers have already rewarded other young players, and Porter’s deal is being watched closely. If the organization can get it done before training camp, it removes a distraction and reinforces the idea that Pittsburgh takes care of its core players. If the talks drag, every missed practice or hold-in question becomes part of the daily conversation.
Steelers Need Joey Porter Jr. Deal Done Soon
The best path for Pittsburgh is probably finding a number that feels expensive now but manageable later. That is usually how these deals work. A $25 million annual value may sound massive, but it could look more reasonable once Witherspoon, Gonzalez, and other young corners get paid.
Porter does not have to be the highest-paid cornerback in football for the deal to make sense. He just has to be paid like a player the Steelers believe can anchor their secondary for the next several years. That is where the negotiation should land if both sides are realistic.
Fittipaldo’s warning is really about timing. The Steelers can either pay Porter before the market shifts again, or they can risk letting other teams make the number harder to stomach. Pittsburgh still has a chance to stay ahead of the curve.
It just has to move before the curve moves on its own.
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