Rapoport: Steelers Expected Return In Joey Porter Jr Trade Would Be Massive

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the middle of a very complicated contract dispute. Most people expected negotiations with star cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to take a long time, but it's very concerning that the two sides have seemingly made zero progress. It's even been revealed that he is on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list because of this hold-in, as opposed to actually having the back injury that Pittsburgh previously reported. He looks perfectly fine in practice while working off to the side with the trainers, and he should be good to go. 

The fact that very little progress has been made in these negotiations has brought trade rumors in. Reports have said that the Steelers have no interest in shipping Porter out. However, it is well known that Pittsburgh refuses to negotiate contracts once the regular season begins. We have just under three weeks until the regular season begins, so this "impasse" can't last long.

There are questions brewing about whether the Steelers will start to give in to the idea of trading Porter. While making an appearance on The Insiders, NFL insider Ian Rapoport revealed the trade value if Pittsburgh does choose to go this route.

"We do see guys from time to time like this traded right before the season," Rapoport said. "If you can't get a contract done, teams will call and say, 'How about this player?' and [Joey Porter Jr.'s] a great player. These kinds of players generally get traded for first-round picks or premium draft picks. If that is going to happen, that's what I would expect."

Even with all the disrespect around Porter by the NFL media and executives lately, what team wouldn't want a cornerback who allows just under 24 yards per game while going whole years without allowing touchdowns? He is a true shutdown player, and if the Steelers were to put him up for trade, teams would likely line up to make an offer and try to get him on their team.

Porter's elite talent warrants much more than a first-round pick in return, although the charade of having a fake injury to try and make top dollar could make some of these teams present lower offers. At the very least, getting a team's top pick and nothing else is not good enough, especially since the team that would make a deal would likely be a playoff contender in 2026. 

Rapoport specifically said it would take a first-round pick or premium selections for the Steelers to move on from Porter. In reality, it would likely take both. Even with all the depth at the cornerback position, nobody can shut down any team's top wideout like Pittsburgh's star can. The bare minimum would likely be a 2027 first-rounder and at least a Day 2 pick in that same year or in 2028.

Steelers Are Playing A Dangerous Game By Not Paying Porter

The longer that General Manager Omar Khan tries to wait this out, the more that he risks having to pay more. Seattle Seahawks' star cornerback Devon Witherspoon recently reset the market with a deal that pays $33 million per year, and New England Patriots' elite corner Christian Gonzalez is looking to be the highest-paid player at his position as well. All of that only raises Porter's demands.

With all the new extensions that have been signed in 2026, it takes at least a $30 million annual value, and Gonzalez's upcoming deal will raise that bar. If they try and wait this out and hope he plays on his final year before franchise tagging him, more cornerbacks will get paid as well, raising the value even more. If this deal had gotten done sooner, they may have gotten Porter to sign for less than $30 million.

What do you think about Porter's trade value? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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