Steelers, Joey Porter Jr. Need to Stop Fighting a Deal

The way things are happening makes little sense for the Pittsburgh Steelers or their star cornerback.

Nov 30, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) reacts against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers have one contract to sign before the start of the regular season. Right now, it doesn't feel like that's going to happen, but it should. And it shouldn't take much battling with numbers to figure it out.

The Steelers have yet to sign Joey Porter Jr., and according to reports, it's not going to happen this offseason.

That makes little sense. Unless Porter Jr. is looking to become the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, the Steelers should have little problem signing him to a massive deal. One that makes him feel like a top-5 cornerback in terms of value, and one where Pittsburgh takes a chance on a player they've been hoping will work out.

It's been a long time since the Steelers have developed a cornerback on their own. Really, the last #24, Ike Taylor, is the best example of a cornerback Pittsburgh developed into a star.

Porter has been a long time in the making, and now that the Steelers have done it, there's no sense it ruining it.

Signing is Easy for Steelers

The Steelers want Porter around long-term. They have little intention of letting him go; they aren't going to trade him, and when this is all said and done, it feels like a contract is going to be signed at some point over the next two years unless he completely falls off.

So why not now?

Pittsburgh should very easily hand Porter top-5 money in terms of average salary per year, and then give him top-3 to top-5 guaranteed money. He's worth it, and you're not overpaying for a player who will likely become a top-5 player at the position this season anyway.

Steelers Makes Too Much Sense for Porter Jr.

On Porter's side of things, he should want to be signed this offseason and not next. The franchise tag for the position won't exceed what he'd likely sign for, and at 26 years old, he'd be risking that his first big NFL contract would come at 28.

That's not going to get you two long-term deals. So, he should want to sign now, make his money for the next three seasons and then hope to sign again at 29 years old.

If he believes he'll make up for lost time by waiting, then fine, but it's a risk he'd be taking. One that doesn't make much sense, but also one that the Steelers should minimize by signing him now.

It makes too much sense for both sides to get this over with before Week 1.

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