Concerning Update Drops On Joey Porter Jr's Polarizing Future With The Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are getting closer and closer to the start of the 2026 regular season. The team is starting to take shape and the final roster will be announced on Sunday, and then the team will start preparing for the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons. It is a highly anticipated game as it will be Mike McCarthy's first game as the coach of the team, and it will be interesting to note the differences between his group and the teams that fans have seen take the field in years past. The Steelers are confident in the team, but there are some things that need to be cleared up before the regular season begins.

There are a few competitions to keep an eye on as the right side of the offensive line is completely up in the air, while there are a few battles lower on the depth chart as well. However, what all fans are paying close attention to is the contract negotiations with star cornerback Joey Porter Jr. He is entering the final year of his rookie deal and he wants an extension. It's possible he doesn't take the field in 2026 without a new contract. He has been on the Physically Unable To Perform (PUP) list since the start of training camp, and if he is still on it by the time the final roster is announced on Sunday, he will be forced to miss the first four games of the season.

It would be silly not to come to some sort of solution with Porter, but beat writer Mark Kaboly doesn't believe the organization is very confident that a deal will get done. He spoke about it on a recent episode of his show, Kaboly + Mack.

"They right now still have, how can I put this, I wouldn't say no hope... it's an extreme long shot how they see it right now, of this happening," Kaboly said. "But I don't know if I believe that or not."

This topic came up due to the news of DK Metcalf's contract being restructured on Thursday, which is typically a sign that an extension or some other move is coming. Kaboly doesn't think the restructure is related to Porter at all, and he still thinks the two sides are way off when it comes to getting a new deal done.

Porter wants to be paid near the top of the cornerback market, which is something the Steelers do not want to do right now. He does not have the same individual accolades as the guys at the top of that list, but there is no denying that he is on his way to becoming a star on the defensive side of the ball. He had the best season of his career in 2025 with his prime just now beginning, and it should be a priority to get a deal done for the franchise. He should get paid something near the top of the market, as a lockdown cornerback is hard to come by.

Steelers Can't Afford To Put Off Signing Joey Porter Jr.

There is always the possibility that the Steelers can wait to extend Porter, and the organization could even franchise tag him after the 2026 season to keep him in Pittsburgh through 2027. That is risky as it will only lead to more drama, and with the salary cap going up at least $20 million per season there is no reason not to come to an agreement on a long-term extension, especially without a franchise quarterback on the books. Pittsburgh has drafted well over the last few years, but the front office has to pay the money to keep these players in the city.

What do you think about the trajectory of this saga? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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