Joey Porter Jr. is missing his third straight game for the Pittsburgh Steelers, inactive again for Sunday’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. But honestly, that’s not even the biggest story here, because multiple teams are already sniffing around to see if the Steelers would actually let their top corner go.
The Standoff and the $27 Million Rejection
This whole thing is a mess. There’s been so much drama between Porter and the Steelers. He’s in the final year of his rookie contract and wanted an extension *before* the 2026 season kicked off. The problem? Pittsburgh has a policy: no contract negotiations once the season starts. Boom, standoff. Porter’s now missed all three games with a back injury, and yeah, it feels like that injury might magically heal faster if a new deal were on the table. The Steelers reportedly threw a $27 million per year offer his way, but Porter said no. He’s looking for a deal closer to the top of the market, which is currently sitting at $33.75 million per year thanks to New England’s Christian Gonzalez. Seven corners are pulling in at least $30 million a year, and you know Porter wants to join that club.
Jerry Jones Going Shopping for Defense
So, who’s lining up for this high-stakes poker game? The Dallas Cowboys are one of several teams making inquiries, and the Detroit Lions are reportedly in the mix too. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been dropping hints since July about wanting to trade for the “right player on defense.” After Dallas beat the Commanders in Week 2, Jones said, “There is nothing more dangerous than an old man with money.” Two days later, he clarified, saying, “We have the makings of a team here that I’m that optimistic about. I’d work to improve it in a minute financially.” He’s proven he’ll pull the trigger, too. In the last 12 months, Dallas acquired Quinnen Williams from the Jets last November, plus Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark in separate deals. Their biggest defensive weakness is likely at corner, so Porter makes a ton of sense for them.
It’s clear any team trading for Porter will need to budget for a massive new contract. This isn’t just a rental; it’s a long-term investment. With Porter still sidelined and this contract drama swirling, the Steelers are in a tough spot. Will Jones, or maybe the Lions, make the move? This saga is just getting started, and you know everyone’s watching what happens next.
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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