There’s a price to pay when you let things fester. Well, the Pittsburgh Steelers are beginning to feel the pain associated with dragging their feet. A plea from fans to the front office to extend Joey Porter Jr. is amplified as training camp begins. It feels like a no-brainer move, but it has yet to happen.
While Omar Khan hesitates, the cost to roster a high-value cornerback continues to rise.Â
And the Cleveland Browns' two-year $62.2 million agreement with Denzel Ward makes him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL History. That only adds fuel to a potential Steelers spending spree.Â
News of the former first-round pick’s deal shouldn’t be surprising. Since 2018, the former Oklahoma Sooner has dedicated focus to Cleveland. Eight years with the franchise resulted in 361 tackles, 18 interceptions and four forced fumbles. Ward’s is a homegrown X-factor whose impact is hard to replace.
So I can understand why Cleveland’s front office is willing to cough up an annual average value of $31.1 million to keep his jersey color the same.Â
The longer the Pittsburgh Steelers wait on a Joey Porter Jr. extension, the more expensive his price tag becomes
Because if you’ve drafted and developed a game-changer, why would you let him slip away?Â
Ironically, the Steelers are forced to answer the same question. The difference between the two front offices is the Steelers’ lack of urgency. Because it’s impossible to ignore Joey Porter Jr.’s impact. And the stats only make his role clearer. In 2025, Pittsburgh’s premier cornerback limited opposing gunslingers to a 47.8% completion rate and did not allow a touchdown.Â
Porter Jr. also earned more total tackles (52) than Ward (37) and earned the same number of interceptions (1). He's also a homegrown star that fans in Pittsburgh want around for a long time.
Experience is the glowing difference between the two AFC North cornerbacks. I can understand giving the veteran his just due. But wouldn’t youthfulness also increase value?Â
Joey Porter Jr. is entering his fourth season. It’s the last campaign under his 4 year $9.62 million rookie deal. The stint was impressive, and I believe he’s shown enough for a new bag.  So an extension ranging between $28M and $30M is not an outrageous ask.Â
On the other hand, Denzel Ward is a nine-year NFL veteran. So comparing contracts may seem unrealistic at times. Would it be fair for Joey Porter Jr. to average an equal yearly salary to a player with double his experience?Â
The answer is yes.Â
Pittsburgh has an elite defensive back on the roster. His stats back up his title as a lockdown defender, and it’s time for Joey Porter Jr. to receive what is owed. Omar Khan and the front office understand the rising star’s value.
But the longer they wait, the more money they will have to shell out.Â
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