Steelers' Joey Porter Jr Receives Brutal Update On Extension Negotiations

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ top-flight cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has been a rising star ever since he was selected by the team in the 2023 NFL Draft. Naturally, because of his father, Joey Porter Sr., playing eight seasons with the Steelers and winning a Super Bowl with the team, it seems like a foregone conclusion that Porter wants to get extended there and continue his father’s legacy in the Steel City.

That has been the natural assumption, and many believe that may be why Steelers General Manager Omar Khan got deals done with Nick Herbig and Darnell Washington first in that 2023 draft class in terms of extensions. Washington signed a four-year extension worth $42 million, while Herbig’s four-year extension was worth $100 million. Porter and his representatives are likely seeking to be paid as a top cornerback in this league, and Steelers insider Gerry Dulac believes Porter wants between $25 million and $30 million per year.

While speaking on the Randy Baumann and the DVE Morning Show on Monday morning, Dulac offered a stark reality for Porter and his representatives. Although it may not be brutal depending on how the market ends up, at least for now it is clear Porter likely wants top cornerback money, but Dulac does not think the Steelers believe that is what they should pay to extend him.

"Seventy-seven cornerbacks have a higher average annual salary than Joey Porter Jr. Granted, he is on his rookie contract, but that is just not going to remain the same," Dulac said. "I think he is probably somewhere in the $25-30 million per year range, but if you poll most people in the NFL, I am not sure they even rank Joey Porter among the top 10 corners, certainly not the top five. So no, I don’t think he will be paid as such, but hey, look, stranger things have happened. I don’t think he is going to set the market. I don’t think the [Steelers] feel that way, to be honest."

Around the league, Dulac pointed out that NFL pundits do not view Porter as a top-10 cornerback, but he wants to be paid like one. 

That could create a problem for what is arguably the most important extension candidate on the roster right now.

"After Chris Boswell, for me, [Joey Porter Jr.] was the most important to get signed," Dulac said while speaking on the contract extension situation with Porter. "Now I will tell you, they have not. Now maybe it has changed here in the last week, but they have not had any serious discussions with Joey’s guy like they did the other one. Half the battle is, and the Steelers know it, and I have been told this since the beginning, it also depends on guys who want to get a deal done now. I can’t speak for Joey or his representatives, but maybe they aren’t in a hurry and want to wait a little bit to try and gain some leverage to their advantage."

Steelers May Be Forced To Wait On Porter Jr.

The Steelers may find themselves forced to wait past the 2026 season on Porter. Dulac believes it would be crazy for him not to get extended, but there is no telling if it will happen soon. 

Porter’s representatives appear content to wait and watch the market rise, while the Steelers, of course, would prefer to get a better price and take care of the deal now.

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