Ever since Pittsburgh Steelers star cornerback Joey Porter Jr. was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform List (or PUP) on the first day of training camp with a back injury, there has been plenty of speculation about the validity of the injury. The two sides were still in talks about an extension to keep the 2023 second-round pick in Pittsburgh long-term, and Porter had already chosen to skip OTAs and other workouts throughout the offseason.
On Monday, head coach Mike McCarthy seemed to confirm that the real reason that Porter has yet to see the field this summer isn't his potentially ailing back.
Speaking to reporters before practice, McCarthy laid out where things stand between the Steelers and their top CB. "I would love the opportunity to coach Joey Porter," McCarthy said. "I know our defensive guys would love the opportunity. So we're at an impasse right here, and you've got to respect that. Every one of us has a contract. The organization, they have beliefs and so forth. But yeah, that's just kind of where we are."
Mike McCarthy's comments on the Joey Porter Jr. situation is exactly what the Pittsburgh Steelers hoped to avoid
McCarthy's comments illustrate exactly why team's who sign their top players early routinely hold onto their homegrown talent longer than other franchises. With the way the NFL salary cap has exploded in recent years, signing a player before the market at their position resets can save a team millions in potential cap flexibility while still rewarding a player with a fair deal at the time of signing.
Unfortunately for the Steelers, new extensions for players like Trent McDuffie, Devon Witherspoon, and Denzel Ward this offseason sent the CB market past the $30 million per year mark, making the Porter contract talks all the more difficult. While we can't be sure how much he and his representation are looking for on his potential new deal, I would be shocked if it doesn't start in that $30 million range.
If that's the case, the Steelers could be right to be hesitant to get a deal done. Despite a very impressive rookie season and an even better third year in 2025, Porter has had his fair share of struggles with penalties and inconsistent play throughout his career.
For what it's worth, Jalen Ramsey (who is fresh off a stint on the PUP list), clearly views Porter as a key piece of the secondary. “We need the whole secondary out there," Ramsey told reporters Monday. "They’ve got to pay Joey Porter.”
It shouldn't be surprising that a teammate wants to see one of his guys get paid, but Ramsey is right: if the Steelers are going to get back to being an elite defense in 2026, Porter absolutely has to be a part of it. The question now is whether he returns as a very rich man, or as one who is looking to make the Steelers regret not paying him sooner.
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