The Pittsburgh Steelers' star cornerback is entering the final year of his rookie deal and coming off another strong season — exactly the kind of player a team typically looks to lock down with a long-term deal. But talks with the organization have dragged on for months without much progress. Making things worse, Porter aggravated a back injury during a camp workout and landed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, forcing him to miss all of training camp and the preseason.
He only recently came off PUP and started practicing again, but his status for Week 1 remains up in the air. Speaking with reporters Monday, head coach Mike McCarthy offered a vague response when asked whether Porter will suit up for the Steelers' season opener Sunday against the Falcons. "Yeah, I hope so," McCarthy said.
"You know, just keep working him. He's still — I'd put him in a ramp-up mode." Steelers general manager Omar Khan has made clear the team won't continue negotiations once the regular season starts. With that now just days away, the pressure is on to get a deal done fast.
"It's a business, and there's definitely business conversations going on," McCarthy added. More news: Dak Prescott Loses Top Protector Days Before Cowboys Season Opener More news: Browns Fans Fuming Over Todd Monken’s Latest Deshaun Watson Announcement Porter was the Steelers' second-round pick in 2023, part of a loaded draft class that's already seen several stars cash in. Fellow first-rounder Jaxon Smith-Njigba signed a four-year, $168.6 million deal with Seattle that made him the highest-paid receiver in NFL history, while Devon Witherspoon was made the NFL's highest-paid corner with a four-year, $132 million deal.
Running backs Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs both landed lucrative extensions of their own this summer as well. Last season with the Steelers, Porter recorded 52 total tackles, 14 pass breakups, one interception, and one sack across 14 games. His overall PFF grade of 67.6 ranked 36th among 114 qualified cornerbacks, and his coverage grade of 74.1 ranked 20th.
He's viewed as one of the top young corners in football, and he's the son of a Steelers legend — reasons enough, in the eyes of many fans, to get a deal done. But the two sides don't appear close. And if Porter chooses to sit out and wait for a new contract, some have speculated it might be best for Pittsburgh to trade him while his value is still high.
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