PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers corner Joey Porter, Junior returned to practice on Tuesday, his first of the season at the UPMC Rooney complex on the South Side. He said it was 100% his back as to why he didn’t go through training camp. Porter, Junior is also looking for a new contract, would he play if no new deal?
“I don’t know,” Porter, Junior said after an hour-long workout. “I gotta talk to the guys upstairs (Steelers management) and my agents about that one.”
This was after earlier in the interview when he was asked if he was healthy if he would play.
“Yeah, for sure,” Porter, Junior said. “Maybe.”
Porter, Junior also said this.
“I really can't speak too much about the future, but today I was out there today, you know, running with the guys,” Porter, Junior said. “Still trying to get back fully. But we're gonna take it day-by-day for the most part. And that's the same page me and Coach have been on so far.”
It was the first time Porter, Junior talked since early June in mini-camp when he was ‘holding-in’ as he looks for a new contract with his rookie deal expiring after the 2026 season. He would not discuss what he’s looking for in compensation or what the hold-up is.
The 26-year-old said the whole reason he missed training camp was due to the injury, it wasn’t because of the contract. Porter, Junior said that back tweak that kept him out of the preseason is returning to where it’s supposed to be, but he said it’s not 100%, they are still working on things and ramping up. He’s hopeful to be ready next week and said he’s athletic enough and been around the team enough to know the defense and be ready for the Falcons. If healthy, and if he thinks it’s the right business move.
Joey said his dad, a 13-year NFL veteran, has been giving him ‘great advice’ and that he has been in his corner his whole life and wouldn’t steer him wrong. He said it’s been helpful for him to have his teammates support-especially Jalen Ramsey, Jaquan Brisker and DeShon Elliott.
“It's been tough, I'm not gonna lie, and it's my first go around this,” Porter, Junior said. “But I mean, it's been also great because I have all my guys with me, all the coaches and players really are on my side. I understand everything about the business side of things. So it's not really too much to go about it. But you know, it has been a little bit tough, but at the end of the day it is what it is.”
He said it makes it a little harder being a hometown kid. Is it also harder because linebacker Nick Herbig ($25 million per season) and defensive lineman Keeanu Benton ($18 million per season) from his draft class have signed new contracts?
“No, not at all,” Porter, Junior. “I was really just happy that they got theirs done. I came in with those guys, me, Herb and Keanu and even (tight end Darnell) Washington. We all came in together. Those are my guys.”
“I was ecstatic that they get paid. It's well-deserved, it's well earned. So, I'm happy that I get to feed their families and do what they want to do with their money.”
Now Porter, Junior waits, but is going through practice again. Is he optimistic of a new contract?
“I could hope and think all day, but it's up to those guys upstairs (Steelers management) and what they want to do with this team,” Porter, Junior said. “So, all I can do is just show up every day to work and be prepared.”
What else Porter said about his contract, advice, optimism
What else Porter said about his contract, advice, optimism
