Joey Porter Jr.’s contract situation with the Steelers? It’s gone from simmering to full-blown emergency, with reports saying the guy flat-out turned down an offer north of $27 million for the 2026 season. That’s a massive number to scoff at, especially when his current deal only pays him $3.9 million. The Steelers have a firm rule of not doing contracts once the regular season kicks off, which means if Porter wants to play this year, a trade is the only logical path forward.
Porter’s Absence Is Forcing the Steelers’ Hand
This isn’t just about money; it’s about playing time too. Porter has missed three straight games, all officially due to a back injury. But here’s the kicker: the Steelers have reportedly cleared him to return. Coach Mike McCarthy even said Porter’s supposed to work out on Wednesday. So, what’s the deal, then? If he doesn’t suit up against the Bengals, Steelers general manager Omar Khan might have no choice but to get aggressive on the trade front. You’ve got a player reportedly healthy, cleared to play, but not on the field, all while a huge contract offer just went up in smoke. This is exactly the kind of drama that messes with a team’s early season mojo.
The Lions’ Desperation Meets Pittsburgh’s Demands
So, who’s the perfect trade partner for a disgruntled cornerback? The Detroit Lions, apparently. They’re in desperate need of help in their secondary after giving up a shocking 71 points in their first two games. Seventy-one points! That’s not just bad, that’s “we need a superhero” bad. The Lions also happen to have the salary cap space to sign Porter to the contract extension he clearly wants.
One mock trade scenario out there paints a picture of the Lions getting Porter, and in return, the Steelers would snag the Lions’ 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 third-rounder. This sounds like a clean deal, right? Brad Holmes, the Lions’ GM, probably wouldn’t think twice about giving up those picks given their defensive woes. But hold up. Reports have already surfaced that the Steelers’ demands for Porter have actually scared teams off. Remember when the Jets got two first-rounders for Sauce Gardner? Pittsburgh’s probably looking for something closer to that. GM Khan would likely be hesitant to pull the trigger on “only” a second and a third, even if it meant shipping Porter to an NFC team. Why? Because the Steelers are reportedly after more first-round picks, probably to increase their odds of drafting a quarterback down the line. They might even use those Lions’ picks just to trade up into the first round.
The trade deadline isn’t until November 10, but with Porter’s status for the Bengals game still up in the air, things could get wild much sooner. If he doesn’t play this Sunday, expect GM Khan to start making some serious calls.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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