So, remember Joey Porter Jr.? Yeah, the dude who missed the Steelers’ season opener. Well, Pittsburgh head coach Mike McCarthy just dropped an update on his status, telling reporters, “We’ll have a good plan for him on Wednesday. Hopefully he’ll do more.” But let’s be real, that’s barely scratching the surface of the drama unfolding around this guy, because trade rumors are flying, and they are getting LOUD.
The Contract Standoff is Real
ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport broke the news Sunday: a trade involving Porter is “very possible.” Why? Because he and the Steelers are stuck in a serious contract dispute, remaining “far apart on a deal.” Get this: they were negotiating right up until opening day, but Pittsburgh straight up said they are NOT talking contract during the season. Ouch. Porter’s playing on the final year of his rookie deal, pulling a $3.9 million base salary for the 2026 season. After a solid season last year, putting up 52 tackles, a sack, and deflecting 14 passes, you know he is looking for a bag.
The Seattle Impact on the Market
Here’s where it gets wild for the entire league, and honestly, we felt it right here in the Emerald City. Porter already requested a trade and is totally open to playing for another team. The Steelers? They want a “premium draft pick,” maybe even a first-rounder, but guess what? Schefter and Rapoport say there has been “no notable interest” yet. And you know why? Because our guy, Seattle Seahawks corner Devon Witherspoon, along with Christian Gonzalez from the Patriots, reset the *entire market* this offseason! Those monster deals, averaging more than $33 million annually, blew the lid off what a top-tier corner expects. Right now, Porter might not be worth that kind of cash, but a huge 2026 season could easily put him in that $33 million-plus club when he hits free agency.
So, what’s next? Porter might hope to ditch Pittsburgh for another team this season, but it looks like the Steelers haven’t gained much traction finding a trade partner for him. The real question is: Will he even be on the field for Pittsburgh in Week 2 when they face the New England Patriots? It’s a total guessing game right now.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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