"I Don't Think He's In That Tier": Steelers' Joey Porter Jr Gets Big Reality Check

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a major financial decision to make with Joey Porter Jr., and the rapidly exploding cornerback market has only made that decision more complicated. Porter has developed into Pittsburgh's top young cornerback and is entering the final year of his rookie contract with an extension still unresolved. The question is no longer whether Porter deserves to get paid, but exactly how much the Steelers should be willing to pay him.

That distinction has become increasingly important as other young cornerbacks around the NFL have pushed salaries beyond $30 million per season. Porter is coming off arguably the strongest season of his young career, giving his representatives plenty of ammunition during negotiations. However, there remains a significant difference between being a quality starting cornerback and being one of the very best players at the position.

Steve Palazzolo discussed that distinction during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan. While acknowledging how dramatically the cornerback market has changed, Palazzolo made it clear that his evaluation of Porter does not place the Steelers defender alongside the NFL's highest-paid cornerbacks.

"I don't think he is in that tier of cornerbacks, and I don't know if it's just the cornerback market," Palazzolo said on 93.7 The Fan. "The market has taken off, but I think it's been driven by the fact that you have all these 24- to 29-year-old young corners that hit the league at the same time. I don't know if Porter should be up in the 30s. He should probably be more in the $22 million to $24 million range based off his performance. That's the tricky part with him being in the last year of his deal."

That is a substantial difference when discussing a long-term contract. A deal averaging $30 million or more annually would place Porter financially among the NFL's elite cornerbacks, while Palazzolo's suggested range would compensate him handsomely without forcing Pittsburgh to treat him as one of the absolute best players at his position.

Palazzolo believes the tape also shows one area where Porter can already be particularly difficult for opposing receivers.

"So part of it is just pure production over the last three years," Palazzolo said. "I think Porter is coming off his best season. I think he was up and down his first couple of years. I think Joey Porter is outstanding with his physicality and in press coverage. I don't think he's as good playing off coverage, which a lot of those players can excel at."

Steelers Are In Strange Predicament With Porter

Pittsburgh's predicament becomes much easier if Porter is willing to accept a contract closer to Palazzolo's suggested range. The difficult part is convincing a young player entering the prime of his career to ignore what other cornerbacks around the league are receiving.

The Steelers reportedly have made Porter an offer, but the two sides were not considered close to an agreement as the regular season approached. That leaves Pittsburgh balancing the desire to retain one of its most important young defensive players against the risk of paying elite money to a cornerback that some evaluators do not yet consider elite.

Palazzolo's assessment is not that Porter cannot play. Quite the opposite. He believes Porter is coming off his best season and considers his press coverage and physicality outstanding. The disagreement is about the tier in which Porter belongs. That distinction could ultimately be worth tens of millions of dollars. If Pittsburgh views Porter as a legitimate $30 million-plus cornerback, extending him now could prevent another increase in the market from making the deal even more expensive.

Should the Steelers pay Joey Porter Jr. more than $30 million per season, or would Palazzolo's $22 million-$24 million range be the smarter deal? Share your Steelers thoughts with @anthonyghalkias and follow me for more news throughout the 2026 season.

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