PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Teammate Jalen Ramsey said on August 24 the Steelers ‘need to pay Joey’. As the self-imposed team deadline for negotiating for a new contract passed at kickoff Sunday against Atlanta, corner Joey Porter, Junior did not get a new deal.
Porter, Junior denied on Friday he is seeking to be the highest paid cornerback in the NFL, but said during mini-camp he was one of the best in the NFL.
“I feel like I was an elite guy since I’ve been in this league and I’m happy I’m getting the respect I feel like I’m owed,” Porter, Junior said after practice on the South Side on June 2.
That respect never matched the level Porter, Junior wanted.
Sources tell 93.7 The Fan the franchise tag is very much an option for the Steelers after the 2026 season which would keep Porter, Junior’s rights with the team and pay an estimated $23 million. The franchise tag is something the team believes is a negotiated CBA option and could be why they never reached a new contract.
National reporters have suggested Porter, Junior will want to be traded.
A player representative to the union, 10-time Steelers captain Cam Heyward railed against the franchise tag designation on Wednesday.
“It’s stupid,” Heyward said. “It hampers players. Why should any team be able to take advantage of a player for one year?”
“It’s used in negotiations. I think between the player options, the franchise tags, the way they control rookies, it’s kind of backwards.”
“Joey knows how we feel about him,” Steelers GM Omar Khan said August 31. “And I still hope Joey finishes his career here.”
Would this whole situation sour Porter, Junior on wanting to be in Pittsburgh?
“No, I don’t think so,” Porter, Junior said. “At the end of the day, it’s business. I know what that is and I have my head straight to understand that. My dad has been in this league as a coach and a player so he has knowledge on that. It’s nothing new to me even though it’s my first go around. That’s how I look at it.”
But that was before contract talks broke off.
Could the Steelers make an exception? Will this turn into a Le’Veon Bell circus? Will Porter, Junior, the best corner they’ve drafted since Ike Taylor, be traded? Interesting few days and weeks coming.
What Porter and Omar Khan have said as corner sits for 1st game
What Porter and Omar Khan have said as corner sits for 1st game
