PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A union representative, someone that renegotiated his contract during camp last year, Cam Heyward knows what trying to get more money out of the Steelers is like. The advice Heyward has for Joey Porter, Junior as he looks for a big-money second contrat and his meaning to this team.
First though, start with what is really working as leverage in the Steelers favor, the franchise tag. It’s put into the Collective Bargaining Agreement to allow teams an extra season with a top player they either can’t work out a contract with, or need more time to assess his value.
Heyward sees that as the players getting screwed.
“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.”
It’s an option Steelers GM Omar Khan could use with Porter, Junior and could potentially save around $10 million if he’s truly a top 5 corner. The franchise tag salary for next year would be roughly $23 million for Porter, where the top six corners this season will make at least $30 million with Christian Gonzalez at the top at $33.75 million.
Gonzalez and Porter, Junior have the same agent.
“We truly want everybody to be able to maximize what they can do and their potential,” Heyward said Wednesday after practice. “We understand this game isn’t for long and every player has to do that. That’s just a fact. If you didn’t, shame on you.”
Heyward said in a perfect world all of this contract stuff would be done in February. That way players can focus in on football.
It’s not that Heyward has an issue with the Steelers policy of not negotiating in season, just that they should have locked up Porter, Junior by now.
The 10-time Steelers captain doesn’t put any of this on the fourth-year corner, it’s part of the game according to Heyward, and Porter, Junior needs to look after his business.
“I told him it’s a process,” Heyward said of conversations with Porter, Junior. “I understand things are done differently here. Keep your head up, stay involved, stay ready. The worst thing you can do is not be ready for your opportunity when you get to show people you deserve the contract you got.”
Heyward believes Porter, Junior is one of the top corners in the NFL and is a big part of what they do week-in and week-out.
“Joey has grown in this defense a lot,” Heyward said. “You can look in that Houston game and really see how much he’s grown going after top receivers, following guys and I think his best football is ahead of him.”
“You’re in a division with JaMarr Chase, Tee Higgins, just on one team alone. You got to have guys like Joey to go out there and stop him.”
Days until the first game, already without safety DeShon Elliott, Joey Porter, Junior’s present, and future, are up in the air.
Heyward has talked to Joey about his future & how he has to get his money
Heyward has talked to Joey about his future & how he has to get his money
