The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a busy offseason when it comes to certain roster moves, especially getting deals done within the franchise. The team was able to bring back Asante Samuel Jr. on a one-year deal, and extensions got done with both Chris Boswell and Cam Heyward relatively early in the offseason process. That was good to see as those were both situations to watch during training camp in 2025. Extensions have also begun to get done with the 2023 draft class. Nick Herbig signed a lucrative four-year contract, as did tight end Darnell Washington. Next on the to-do list is Joey Porter Jr.
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Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. celebrates a big pass break up during a road game against the Baltimore Ravens in 2025.
It has been known that the negotiations between Porter and the organization were going to take some time, but the whole situation has now bled into the second week of training camp. Porter is currently on the Physically Unable To Perform (PUP) list after aggravating his back, but he was probably going to be holding-in anyway. There would have been no point in him practicing and risking his body to a serious injury before getting paid.
Porter has yet to practice, and he stood off to the side during the spring as well. He wants his new deal, and the Steelers should want to give it to him. Beat writer Gerry Dulac has no clue what the holdup might be, which he said during an appearance on 102.5 WDVE. However, he knows there have not been a ton of exchanges between the two sides, which is a mystery to him.
"And so I don't think they have any intention, one, of letting it weaken by not signing their best corner," Dulac said. "And two, I don't think whether it was strong or not, they had any intention of not re-signing Joey Porter Jr. I think it gets done. And I have not been told that it's an impasse as to how much. And again, maybe that's changed in the last couple days. It's just that there's been no significant back and forth between the sides to get it done. And I can't honestly tell you why that is the case."
Dulac believes the Steelers want to win now, and signing the star cornerback is going to be an important part of that. He has improved over the last three seasons, and he needs to be under contract for the long term in Pittsburgh. He seems to have full confidence that a deal will get done before camp breaks.
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Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. signs an autograph at training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Dulac is confused by the lack of back and forth between Porter's team and the Steelers. This means the two sides aren't really actively negotiating, and he cannot figure out why. A long-term extension is best for all parties involved, so it is bizarre that the two sides have not been in communication in an attempt to get a deal done. There could be other factors at hand like Porter's coincidental back injury, but that seems unlikely. He has been seen working off to the side at practices, so the back injury shouldn't be anything too serious.
Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. May Be Being Strategic In Negotiations
Porter is not the most high-profile contract negotiation at cornerback across the NFL. Both Christian Gonzalez and Devon Witherspoon are each about to receive an extension, and either one of those players could become the league's highest-paid cornerback. Porter's value is not going to beat either of them as they both have strong individual accolades, and they both played in the Super Bowl, but the cornerback market going up is only going to be good news for Porter. Just because he likely won't beat out either of those guys doesn't mean he shouldn't be waiting for them to get their deals done. It's smart business from the player side of things, as the Steelers probably want to get a deal done quicker.
When do you think a deal might get done between the Steelers and Porter? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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