The Pittsburgh Steelers started the 2026 season off on the right foot with a win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1. Head Coach Mike McCarthy was able to get the victory in his regular season debut as the coach of his hometown team, and there were a lot of storylines surrounding his homecoming leading up to the season kicking off. The coach snuck out a narrow victory over Atlanta, and the team certainly has room to grow as that was a game the team probably should have won by more than seven points.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy after a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Acrisure Stadium.
Aside from McCarthy's homecoming and his reunion with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, there have been some other storylines following the Steelers around through Week 1. The most prominent is the contract situation with star cornerback Joey Porter Jr. The young defender did not play in the game against the Falcons, and his absence was attributed to him still working his way back from the back injury that caused him to miss the entirety of training camp. He only began practicing in a limited capacity recently, and he wasn't quite at the point to take the field.
Porter's injury status has a lot of fans skeptical as he has been awaiting a contract extension. Some believe he is actually holding out, and it has been reported that there is even a chance that he could be dealt now that a deal has not been struck. The organization does not conduct contractual business during the season, so the deadline has passed for an extension. McCarthy was asked about this repeatedly during his press conference on Monday, and the coach clearly grew frustrated with the line of questioning.
"We're preparing to go win our first away game," McCarthy said. "I think I've answered your questions. Hopefully, he gets a step further in being ready to play, you know, and the business situation will be a business situation. This is the most I've frankly ever talked about a business situation, so I think I'll stop right here."
McCarthy seems to be strictly focused on football, as the head coach of a team should be. He has remained consistent in saying that Porter did not play strictly because he has not come along far enough in his "ramp up process," but the coaching staff is looking for him to take another step this week so he can take the field in Week 2.
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Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. celebrates a big play during a road game against the Cleveland Browns in 2025.
There is no doubt that the Porter situation has been a bit distracting for the Steelers. McCarthy and every player will deny that it has been a distraction, but his game status was in doubt until Sunday morning. Maybe the players taking the field had a better idea of whether or not he would be playing, but a team's top cornerback essentially being a game-time decision does not make preparing for a game any easier. The players in the secondary that did play on Sunday played well, but they were going against a third string quarterback in the contest.
Steelers Need Joey Porter Jr. In Week 2
The Steelers will be playing a much more complete opponent in Week 2 as the team is preparing to travel to the northeast to take on the New England Patriots. The reigning AFC Champions are led by last season's MVP runner-up, Drake Maye, and he is going to be a lot harder to defend against than Cooper Rush. New England's top wide receiver AJ Brown is out for the game, which helps the Steelers, but there are still reasons to be concerned if Porter is not going to be on the field next Sunday.
Pittsburgh is going to be tested mightily in Week 2, and it is a true measuring stick game as the Patriots come into the game with a chip on their shoulders after a rough loss in Week 1.
What do you think about McCarthy getting fed up with the line of questioning regarding Porter? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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