PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Whatever you want to call it, hold-in or whatever, corner Joey Porter, Junior didn’t do full drills on the first day of Steelers mini-camp Tuesday. He was there and there is no mistake what he thinks of his worth.
“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 Southside.
His teammate is already the fifth highest paid corner in the game, even though he might move around. Jalen Ramsey will make $24.1 million as his average salary which is just above Patrick Surtain. The top 5:
- Trent McDuffie $31 million
- Ahmad Gardner $30.1 million
- Derek Stingley, Jr. $30 million
- Jaycee Horner $25 million
There are nine corners making at least $20.1 million, 13 making at least $19 million. The only one of them over 30, Ramsey is 32-years-old. Porter is 25.
Porter, Junior said he wants to be out on the field and everyone knows that. He’s going to take his participation decision day-to-day and is letting his agents handle the business.
“I’m happy to be out here,” Porter, Junior said. “I’m happy I’m with the guys learning the plays. That’s all I can ask for at this time right now. I’m going to keep doing that and keep teaching the young guys right now.”
He said a big reason he’s here during this time is because of the new coaches, which bring new processes and playbooks. He wants to ‘show his face’ and be around the building, even if he’s not doing everything on the field.
“I feel like just because it’s a new start, a new beginning,” Porter, Junior said. “We got new coaches. We got new players coming in. I just want to be around the guys as much as possible and just to help as much as I can right now. I have all my attention towards that.”
Porter said he’s bought into the new coaches and doesn’t seem to have any outward feelings about Mike Tomlin leaving, a guy he’s known since he was a young kid. Porter, Junior went to Mike McCarthy’s introductory news conference and seems to be excited about the future. Especially his.
“I feel like there is always room for improvement,” Porter, Junior said. “I feel like the main goal was the talk of my penalties, I got those down. I did what I was supposed to do when I traveled. I think I really showed that the last time I touched the field.”
McCarthy said he’s been in this business for 20 years and he can separate the personal and professional side of the NFL. He’s good with Porter doing what he needs to do.
Porter played and started 14 games in 2025 with 52 tackles (35 solo), a career-high 14 passes defensed and an interception.
What is that worth?
Steelers corner in final year of rookie contract
Steelers corner in final year of rookie contract
