Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. appears to have the support of the team’s secondary over his contract dispute with the organization. But not everyone with potential insider knowledge of the situation is in his corner.
Former All-Pro NFL cornerback Asante Samuel Sr. criticized Porter over how he has gone about trying to get a new contract from the Steelers.
“I don’t think he’s handling the situation the best way, not going to practice,” said Samuel said on his podcast, “Say What Needs To Be Said”. “You’ve gotta know when to read the room and who you’re dealing with.
“These people seem like they really get offended over there in Pittsburgh. They really are in tine to what’s going on and their players and who their players are and paying their players. [The Steelers] do things a certain way. They don’t just like to break bread.”
Samuel has never been shy about sharing his opinion. He was a famous trash-talker while he played, which is why he’s an entertaining podcast host.
However, he was an unlikely pundit to speak out on Porter because his son, Asante Samuel Jr., is on the Steelers roster.
In fact, Samuel Jr. has received more opportunities at training camp this month because Porter is not at practice.
Asante Samuel Sr. Calls Out Joey Porter Jr.
GettyPittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. received criticism over his contract from Asante Samuel Sr.
There’s quite a bit to unpack with Samuel Sr. sharing a negative opinion on Porter Jr.
Given the close relationship Samuel Sr. and Jr. have, it’s worth wondering if Samuel Jr. agrees that Porter should be practicing. If that’s the case, then the Porter contract dispute could potentially be splitting the Steelers secondary.
It’s important to note, though, Porter is on the PUP list because of a back injury. He’s not supposed to be sitting out because of his contract.
The two current Steelers cornerbacks — Samuel and Porter — each have fathers who played in the league. Samuel Sr. and Porter Sr. played against each other and were rivals at one point.
When Porter Sr. was a perennial Pro Bowler with the Steelers, Samuel Sr. was winning Super Bowls with the New England Patriots.
Is Samuel Sr.’s comments on Porter Jr. personal?
All of this is speculation. It’s quite possible Samuel Sr. simply shared an opinion on Porter Jr. without any input or agreement from his son or any previous feelings influencing the hot take.
But those details provide context worth considering.
It is rather ironic, though, that Samuel Sr. argued Porter was incorrectly “reading the room” in his Steelers negotiations. If any current player understands how the Steelers work as an organization, it would be Porter.
His father played for the Steelers during the first seven years of his life. Porter Jr. was on the Super Bowl podium with his father in February 2006.
Porter Sr. then coached under Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh when Porter Jr. was a youth football player.
It’s highly unlikely Samuel Sr. understands how the Steelers work better than Porter Jr.
Porter Aiming High in Contract Negotiations
GettyNFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. wants to be the highest-paid cornerback in the league.
Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters Monday the team was “at an impasse” with Porter’s contract. Later in the day, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was able to provide details about why.
Rapoport strongly suggested Monday evening Porter wants to be the highest-paid cornerback in the league. That would give him an average annual salary greater than $33 million per season.
“It’s pretty clear when Joey Porter gets a new contract, he’s going to be the highest-paid corner in the NFL,” said Rapoport. “The Steelers, if they aren’t willing to make him the highest-paid corner, probably haven’t offered for that reason.”
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported the Steelers actually haven’t made a contract offer to Porter. Based on Rapoport’s details, the reason why is the Steelers know their offer won’t be close enough to get Porter signed.
Hence, why the two sides are “at an impasse.”
It’s not clear what the road forward could be. Rapoport discussed a trade potentially being on the table. But Steelers insider Mark Kaboly reported last week the team doesn’t want to trade Porter.
They could be forced to, though, if an agreement can’t be reached before the regular season.
Steelers’ Joey Porter Jr. Under Fire Over Contract From Unlikely Source