Steelers' Contract Policy Has Underrated Advantage Brought To Light

The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2026 season is one of their more highly anticipated ones in quite some time. There is a new head coach for the first time in almost 20 years with Mike McCarthy taking over. Many storylines surround the team, which include how the rejuvenated roster will look, especially on offense as general manager Omar Khan was aggressive in bringing in weapons for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. One of the bigger storylines is surrounding cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and getting a contract extension with the franchise. This comes after they extended Keeanu Benton and Nick Herbig, among others, this offseason.

As the season inches closer and closer, the likelihood of a deal getting done between Porter and the organization is seeming less likely. However, Khan did speak on Monday and mentioned he would like the cornerback to finish his career in the Steel City. If history tells fans anything with the franchise, the kickoff to the season completely reduces the odds of an extension happening prior to 2027.

On Friday, team insider Nick Farabaugh joined 93.7 The Fan to discuss all things surrounding the team ahead of the 2026 season. During his appearance on the station, he was asked about the organization and its consistency in not signing extensions in-season. His answer proves the continuity it has provided for them in recent history. 

“I do think over the years it’s been good to them,” Farabaugh said. “They haven’t really had a ton of these contentious contracts. Le’Veon Bell was obviously one of them. They haven’t had a ton of turmoil in-season. It spurs action, I think that’s one thing it has done for them. Usually, they get the business done, whether it’s three months before the kickoff or two hours before the kickoff, it gets done.”

With a new regime in charge, sticking by this method in contract negotiations is important for the team. By not allowing players to try and discuss contracts during the season, it limits distractions while also preventing potential turmoil in the locker room. Pittsburgh saw no shortage of turmoil in the past, especially given issues with players such as Le'Veon Bell and wide receiver Antonio Brown during their time in the Steel City. 

The one noticeable change for the Black and Gold is that players have the opportunity to turn over a new leaf with McCarthy taking over. Those that have had their share of struggles, such as wide receiver Roman Wilson, get to put those in their rearview mirror and get a fresh start for the 2026 campaign. 

Team Owner and President Art Rooney II should continue to operate this way with contract negotiations, as minimizing distractions can only benefit the team on the field as well as in the locker room.

Steelers Must Continue Traditional Ways For Success With McCarthy

When McCarthy was hired as the head coach back in January of 2026, there was one clear message sent by doing so. Several up-and-coming young coordinators could have been offered the job in the Steel City. However, those kinds of hires do not always work out as several have no experience as a head coach. The message it sent is that the Black and Gold are not focused on trying to rebuild things, but instead retool and find some success in the playoffs. 

With Rodgers and McCarthy reuniting in the NFL, the offense could drastically improve compared to the 2025 season. The reinforcements of rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard as well as veteran Michael Pittman Jr. will make it hard for defenses to strictly focus on DK Metcalf on the field. 

McCarthy is known to be an offensive-minded individual and adding more weapons to the offense for him to have at his disposal can only benefit a four-time NFL MVP in Rodgers. That is why it is crucial for the franchise to continue to stick to its guns in not discussing contracts during the season with any player.

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