Rapoport: "I Don't Know" Steelers' Joey Porter Jr Brings Big Questions

The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be at a standstill with rising star cornerback Joey Porter Jr. Reports suggest the two sides are not close in terms of how they value his next contract. Porter believes he is worth top of the market money, while the Steelers do agree he deserves a significant raise. However, they reportedly do not feel he has yet reached the level where he should command top-tier cornerback money.

That said, there is no question that if Porter continues to develop year after year as he has since being drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, he will eventually enter that top five or top ten cornerback conversation. The real question right now is whether paying Porter around $30 million per year is something the Steelers are willing to commit to at this stage of his career.

At the moment, Pittsburgh appears more comfortable in the $20 million per year range. There is also an interesting dynamic at play as Porter has a unique connection to the franchise. His father, Joey Porter Sr., played for the Steelers and won a Super Bowl with the team. Because of that relationship, the organization may believe he is less likely to explore opportunities elsewhere.

During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, NFL insider Ian Rapoport revealed what Steelers fans need to know about Porter’s situation moving forward as money continues to complicate negotiations between the two sides.

"That is essentially what I've heard," Rapoport said. "The Steelers have had a couple big contract extensions... would expect maybe another one at some point, either this summer or before the season... If he's going to get paid, it's gonna be top of the market. How close to the top of the market is he gonna get? I don't know."

Rapoport verified that he has heard both sides are far apart in terms of valuation. He noted that the Steelers and Porter are not currently close to a deal, as both sides view his market value differently at this stage. 

Rapoport also suggested that while talks are ongoing, there is still time for things to develop before any final decisions are made. As for how much concern there is about his future in the Steel City and securing an extension before the 2026 season, Rapoport does not believe that level of urgency is there quite yet.

"I try not to get all worried about the timing of it," Rapoport said. "Because really the only thing that matters is, does he get one before the season or not? If he doesn't have one before training camp, if he shows up, then it's like, okay, the next target is in the two or three or four days before the season."

He explained that the timing remains flexible and that the situation does not appear to be nearing a breaking point. For now, it is viewed more as a developing negotiation than a fractured one.

Steelers' Omar Khan Has Earned The Trust Of Fans

If there is one thing Steelers General Manager Omar Khan is really good at, it is knowing how to find value. He understands when to pay a player, when to invest, and when to beat the market, and if he believes something is an overpay, Steelers fans have come to trust that judgment.

Porter has shown a lot in his young career and has flashed elite-level coverage ability when blanketing wide receivers. However, he has also had some inconsistent moments and struggled at times with penalties. All of that is what is making this a complicated situation.

Even so, Khan has consistently proven he can navigate these types of decisions, and the expectation is that he will figure this one out as well.

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