Joey Porter Jr. isn’t guaranteeing he’ll be on the field for Week 1, dropping a bombshell “I don’t know” when asked if he’d play without an extension. This isn’t just about a back injury, which he just got activated from the PUP list for; it’s a full-blown contract standoff that has Pittsburgh’s defense on edge and is a stark reminder of just how much corners are getting paid now.
“It’s Been Tough”: Porter’s Standoff Heats Up
Look, the guy is a key piece for Pittsburgh’s defense, and he’s coming off a monster 2025 season. Pro Football Focus has him down for only 29 receptions and 299 receiving yards allowed on 60 targets, with just one receiving touchdown given up across three seasons. The Penn State product also piled up a career-high 14 passes defended last season, according to Pro Football Reference. So yeah, he’s earned a payday. But the Steelers have this strict policy: no contract talks once the regular season starts. Porter Jr., a 2023 second-round pick, admits navigating these extension talks has been “tough,” especially after aggravating his back in a training camp mobility workout. He mentioned his “guys” and “coaches and players” are on his side, which is good, but his shrug and “I don’t know” about playing without a deal tell you everything. He knows the business side, he said, but “it is what it is.”
The Witherspoon Effect: How the Seahawks Made History
And let’s be real, part of why Porter Jr. is holding firm is because the cornerback market completely blew up this offseason, largely thanks to *our very own* Seattle Seahawks stalwart, Devon Witherspoon. Remember that?! Spoon, our No. 5 overall pick from 2023, landed a jaw-dropping four-year, $132 million contract, making him the highest-paid corner in NFL history! We’re talking an average annual value of $33 million, per Over the Cap. Denzel Ward of the Browns isn’t far behind at $31.1 million AAV, and Trent McDuffie of the Rams is right there at $31 million AAV, both getting their own massive extensions. Witherspoon’s deal reset everything for guys like Porter Jr. and the Patriots’ Christian Gonzalez, who are also due for big raises. Our man Spoon laid down the marker, and now everyone else is trying to cash in.
So, what’s next for Porter Jr. and the Steelers? With the regular season literally knocking on the door, the clock is ticking for Pittsburgh to strike a deal before Week 1. Will he play without that extension? The whole league is watching to see if this contract situation spills over onto the field.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply