The Pittsburgh Steelers are once again in the middle of some contract drama despite already extending three players from the 2023 NFL Draft class, as well as kicker Chris Boswell. The organization is holding firm when it comes to Joey Porter Jr., which shouldn't come as a surprise based on how Omar Khan likes to do business. The team does have a lot of the leverage, but a tough situation is seemingly getting worse by the day as the star defender sits out of practice. Head Coach Mike McCarthy made it clear on Monday that the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list stint for Porter isn't really due to injury.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy stands on the field and looks down at his play sheet as the team workout during a 2026 training camp practice taking place at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
The Steelers certainly recognize that Porter is the best shutdown cornerback that they have on the roster; however, that does not mean that the decision-makers believe he is worthy of making $30 million per year or more. This is where some complications could be coming from, even though reports have been all over the place regarding how much discussion has actually taken place.
A boost for the defense came just recently when Jalen Ramsey was activated off PUP to start ramping up for the regular season. He was battling a knee ailment, but just started working out with the team. In some of his first media availability, he was not shy about telling Pittsburgh's brass to get Porter locked into a new extension. This might be taken the wrong way.
On Tuesday night's episode of Steelers Collective, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ray Fittipaldo brought up the veteran's comments and thinks that they were an overall bad look, mainly because when Ramsey did it in 2025 for someone else, it didn't work.
"Do you guys thinks Jalen Ramsey coming out so strong in what he said [on Monday] has any bearing on the Steelers? I go back to last year; he said the same thing about Cam [Heyward] and the Steelers never caved with Cam," Fittipaldo said. "So, I think it's a little bit uncomfortable for the Steelers to sort of be called out by that, by one of their leaders, but I don't necessarily think they're gonna budge. They didn't budge last year, and I don't think pressure from Jalen Ramsey is gonna make them budge this year, either."
It'd be one thing if someone like Cameron Heyward or TJ Watt publicly spoke about Porter's situation, but Ramsey is only in his second year with the team and remains a serious cut candidate for 2027 because of his cap hit. A deal with Porter could absolutely still get across the finish line despite the fact that Ramsey's words could be viewed as the wrong ones.
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Pittsburgh Steelers star defenders Joey Porter Jr. (24) and Jalen Ramsey (5) stand on the field as they watch their team workout during a 2026 training camp practice at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
On the contrary, Ramsey speaking up for Porter could be viewed as a great leadership move by the players in the locker room. It doesn't mean the front office was listening, though. Mark Kaboly chimed in after Fittipaldo and spoke a little bit about the bond between the young corner and his veteran mentor.
"I think a lot of Joey's play last year, or improved play, had a lot to do with Jalen Ramsey being there," Kaboly said. "He sort of took him under his wing and showed him how to play the sport at a different level so of course he loves him. He said he wants him to be paid. Okay, they'll pay him, but just not maybe what you want."
Overall, the situation continues to get more interesting by the day. The Steelers don't like to cave in these situations, but Porter also seems as if he has no intention of practicing until his future his secured.
Steelers Are Playing The Long Game With Porter
Pittsburgh typically rips up current contracts and agrees to entirely new ones with players that receive extensions. With Porter set to make a very small salary in 2026 because he is on his rookie deal, it would make sense for him to finally arrive at the negotiating table so he can set himself up for the short- and long-term. That's exactly what Khan is banking on, so Ramsey's words might not get Porter very far.
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