The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up to play the Cincinnati Bengals during a Week 3 divisional tilt. This contest is going to be tough, but there's still no telling if Joey Porter Jr. will be active.
Porter Jr. spoke to reporters on Thursday for the first time since the deadline passed, where he talked about not getting a deal done and his status going forward.
"It didn’t get done. It didn’t happen. That’s really just old news for me now,” he said.
When asked if he sees himself getting on the field eventually, he replied, "Yeah, definitely,” per ESPN's Brooke Pryor.
Even though Porter Jr.'s future with the team is still up in the air, he made it clear that he still intends on playing, and that will give a boost to this defense whenever he suits up.
Joey Porter Jr.'s comments reveal where he stands with Pittsburgh Steelers
It was reported that the Steelers failed to meet Porter Jr.'s asking price, as he wanted more than $30 million per year. Instead, Pittsburgh offered a deal just over $27 million per year, but that offer wasn't enough for the Penn State product.
Since Pittsburgh doesn't usually negotiate with players during the season, all contract talks will be held until the offseason. Porter Jr. knew that, and his decision not to accept the deal shows he's willing to bet on himself.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette questioned whether Porter Jr. would play at his current price tag after he had the Steelers' offer on the table. Some believed he might have played his final down with the Steelers, but his statements prove he's planning on getting back in the action.
Porter Jr. is dealing with a back injury and seems to be ramping up towards a return. He's been limited at practice through the first three weeks, but he hasn't taken that next step towards suiting up yet. Porter Jr. revealed that in addition to getting his conditioning right, his back issue still pops up.
There are still hurdles he needs to clear, and he's eyeing a chance to help this team out. Of course, he wants a new contract, but the best way to get one is by being active and available. The quicker he gets back on the field, the faster he'll be able to prove he's worth the money he's asking for.
For Pittsburgh's sake, getting their CB1 back would be welcome. Over three seasons, Porter Jr. had appeared in 47 games (41 starts). Last season was his best year by far, posting career-high numbers. His forced incompletions (16) were third among cornerbacks, and his completion rate allowed (47.8 percent) was sixth. In addition, his passer rating allowed (57.1 percent).
He's no doubt their best option when healthy, and based on what he said, fans could expect him to be on the field sometime this season. When that will be remains to be seen, but this was a step in the right direction in terms of him playing in 2026.
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