When it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers, there’s a lot of attention around quarterback Aaron Rodgers this season. That’s a given. That’s just what happens when you have a four-time MVP-winning quarterback ending his career at your franchise.
A lot of eyes are also on the team’s new head coach, Mike McCarthy. He’s hoping to take this team all the way.
But, there’s one other Steelers star who’s drawing attention, and for good reason. One NFL analyst even goes so far as to say that he’s a player under pressure for the 2026-27 season.
Joey Porter Jr.’s contract situation could become a major storyline
Bill Barnwell of ESPN has released a roster of NFL players who have big years ahead of them. Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is on this tally. That’s not really a surprise, because he’s in the last year of his rookie contract.
In the piece, Barnwell notes that “Porter looks like one of the league’s best young players at the position.”
However, he adds that “the Steelers don’t appear to be in a hurry to pay him. With Porter being one year away from unrestricted free agency, the Steelers have yet to come to terms with him on a new deal, even as they’ve locked up the likes of Keeanu Benton and Nick Herbig in recent months.”
Barnwell believes Porter will get more than $30 million per season with his new deal. That may be too much for the Steelers.
“If Porter can return this year and continue to play at a high level, the Steelers might decide they’re better off letting him leave for greener pastures than playing the franchise game with an unhappy player,” he adds.
So, if Porter can really knock it out of the park this season, he may be in for an even sweeter deal elsewhere. Or, the Steelers may decide to figure out a way to pay up.
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