Steelers' Brass Tells Joey Porter Jr Exactly What They Want To End Intense Contract Negotiations

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in the headlines once again as the organization is trying to get a deal done with its star cornerback. Joey Porter Jr. is entering the final season of his rookie deal, and the two sides have been pretty far apart on a potential extension for quite some time now. Many fans in Pittsburgh thought a deal would already be done by this point of the year, but things are getting pretty tense with just one preseason game remaining on the schedule. Porter and the organization are running out of time to come to an agreement on a new contract.

Porter held-in throughout the offseason program in the spring, and he was going to be holding in throughout training camp as well. The day before camp began he reported that his back had been aggravated, and that landed him on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. He hasn't practiced all training camp but he has been working off to the side by himself. He is holding in, and many expect that once a contract gets done his back injury will be healed.

Head Coach Mike McCarthy spoke to the media on Monday, and he shared that the team and Porter are currently at an "impasse." That means there is a gap in negotiations and the two sides are not seeing eye to eye on the player's value. NFL insider Mike Garafolo went on Good Morning Football on Tuesday, and he shared that the Steelers want to see one thing out of Porter before paying him.

"They're at an impasse because the Steelers want to see Joey Porter Jr. on the field first," Garafolo said. "He's on the PUP list. They want to see him on the field first before they kickstart negotiations."

Garafolo seems to have sources telling him that the coaching staff and the front office would like to see Porter on the field playing before giving him a new extension. This is probably because the Steelers now have a new coaching staff, which means a different defensive system under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. There might be some hesitancy to give Porter a lucrative deal before seeing him in the new system.

This is an interesting thing that the team needs before giving Porter money. The organization has already given out three extensions to the 2023 draft class, all without having seen them play in the defensive system aside from some practice reps. Porter has already put great things on tape throughout his career, and it is a little bit disrespectful that the organization is asking for him to get on the field before extending him. He has been one of the best defenders in Pittsburgh for the better part of the last two years. There should be no need for this to be what is holding up a deal.

Steelers Could Entertain Trade Offers

Whenever there is a contract debacle like this, the possibility of a trade usually comes up. Porter has not requested or demanded a trade, but that could come in the future if things continue on the path they are currently on. The Steelers would want a premium pick and more in exchange for Porter's services, which is probably what he is worth. He is a lockdown cornerback, and those are hard to come by in the NFL. It is a critical part of a great defense, which is why the Steelers should be doing everything they can to get a new deal done with Porter. Losing him would be a mistake if the team was not getting an absurd trade package in return.

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