It’s been an eventful week for Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. despite the fourth-year player not being on the field.
On Thursday night, Porter became the subject of trade rumors because of a report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz. Some Steelers insiders have pushed back on the report. But Schultz’s news highlighted the biggest current takeaway in the Steelers-Porter situation — the cornerback remains without a new deal entering a contract season.
That might remain the case for awhile too.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac reported on 102.5 WDVE before Friday night’s preseason game the Steelers are not close to agreeing to a contract extension with Porter.
“They’re talking to him, but they’re nowhere near signing Joey Porter Jr.,” said Dulac, via Steelers Depot’s Jake Brockhoff. “So, is he going to go into the season without a contract? Which, you would think, he would have been the first guy they would try to re-sign.
“To me, the biggest loser in training camp right now is that whole situation with JPJ.”
Dulac was referring to the new contracts the Steelers agreed to with Porter’s draft classmates. Edge rusher Nick Herbig, tight end Darnell Washington and defensive lineman Keeanu Benton all received new deals this late spring and summer. The Steelers selected all three players after Porter in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Porter, who is currently on the PUP list this month because of a back injury, will be an unrestricted free agent in March. He has started 41 games over his first three NFL seasons.
Steelers Insider Gives Bad Update on Joey Porter Jr. Contract Amid Trade Rumors