Contract negotiations can become a huge headache for NFL front offices. Just ask the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sure, a slew of offseason extensions have put Omar Khan’s group in a better position entering a crucial campaign. But a stalemate between the franchise and Joey Porter Jr. is becoming a larger issue than originally intended.
With little news of a pending solution, fans are beginning to worry that the stalled negotiations could affect his regular-season performance.
Luckily, Jalen Ramsey was activated from the team’s PUP list on Monday and is working to return to the gridiron.
The seasoned veteran picked a great time to rejoin the team. A knee injury suffered during minicamp sidelined Ramsey. His recovery didn't require surgery, so he was at off-season activities. No, he wasn’t physically active, but the cautious approach is much appreciated. Especially while Pittsburgh works to make Porter a richer man.
According to Head Coach Mike McCarthy, the Steelers are at an “impasse” with Joey Porter Jr and negotiations.
“Everyone, one of us has a contract. The organization, they have beliefs and so forth. But yeah, that’s just kind of where we are,” Pittsburgh’s leader explained.
That’s concerning news for Patrick Graham’s defense. Especially if both parties fail to find a solution and Joey Porter Jr. doesn’t see the gridiron. With trade speculation surfacing, could Pittsburgh afford to lose an elite corner?
I do not think so.
In 2025, the former second-round pick allowed zero touchdown receptions. He also limited completions (48.5%) and quarterbacks to five yards per target with a 57.2 passer rating. It's obvious Porter Jr. is a deterrent against opposing offenses. So what happens if compensation delays his return to the gridiron?
Well, that’s where Jalen Ramsey saves the day.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have an insurance policy in Jalen Ramsey if Joey Porter Jr.'s contract negotiations fall through
I don’t expect Joey Porter Jr to miss any games this season. But if negotiations turn sour, Graham and his staff can rely on Ramsey to keep the secondary intact. In 2025, Ramsey played 17 games and earned 88 total tackles, 3 sacks, and an interception. His role as a floating safety could vary without Porter Jr. in the lineup. He has a nose for the football and enough experience to make impactful plays at any position.
The veteran's versatility will fill any holes contract negotiations create better than most replacements. Still, the veteran believes it’s time for his teammate to receive a new bag.
“We need the whole secondary out there. They need to pay Joey Porter [Jr.],” Ramsey expressed to reporters.
We’ve seen defensive backs like Devon Witherspoon, Denzel Ward, and Trent McDuffie receive new contracts north of $31 million per year in recent months. The promotions are a huge jump from Porter Jr.’s current AAV via his rookie deal ($2.40 million). And he’s playing at an equivalent level.
According to Over the Cap, Porter Jr.’s 2025 performance is valued at a little more than $20 million per season.
A spike in the cornerback market inflated the price tags for the gridiron's best coverage men. It leaves Pittsburgh with a choice: pay their best cornerback or risk the consequences. Porter Jr’s absence wouldn’t just force Ramsey into a cornerback role. But it would force Pittsburgh to sacrifice the versatility that makes Ramsey so valuable.
Sure, the veteran can cover for Porter, but Pittsburgh shouldn’t want him to. It would force Patrick Graham to use his best chess piece to patch a hole instead of making plays.
Extending Joey Porter Jr. is the best decision for the Steelers front office. They’ve invested in key players like Keeanu Benton and Nick Herbig this off-season. Porter has shown a higher ceiling and plays a more pivotal role. Offering him a notable deal isn’t rocket science, and stubbornness will only cost the franchise more in the long run.
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