As the cornerback market continues to rise around them, the Pittsburgh Steelers don’t appear ready to change their approach with Joey Porter Jr. According to P-G’s Ray Fittipaldo, the Steelers have a valuation in mind and aren’t going to be swayed by what other teams are paying at the position.
“I don’t think they’re moved by what other teams are paying their corners,” Fittipaldo wrote in his weekly P-G Steelers chat. “They have a number in mind they’re willing to pay Porter and I don’t think they’ll stray far from that number.”
This comment comes on the heels of the Cleveland Browns unexpectedly resetting the cornerback market by giving Denzel Ward a new contract worth $31.1 million APY. They didn’t raise the bar by much with that contract, but that doesn’t mean Christian Gonzalez or Devon Witherspoon will follow suit. Other premier positions have experienced jumps of several million dollars, rather than small incremental gains like the one Cleveland just gave Ward.
According to Fittipaldo, the Steelers aren’t really concerned with those market dynamics. Omar Khan didn’t comment on the ongoing negotiations, but acknowledged Tuesday that they are aware how market dynamics work in the NFL with others primed to reset the market.
If they really are sticking to their guns, these negotiations could go the distance. Pittsburgh stops all contract talks once the seasons begins. Normally that means the contentious talks end with a new contract just days before the start of the season. Could this one be headed for a standstill that results in no new deal?
The Steelers still have the franchise tag in their back pocket. Perhaps that is the last line of defense that makes them comfortable regardless of the outcome this offseason. According to Over The Cap, that is projected to be worth $23.7 million for the 2027 season, likely less than the figure Porter’s camp is currently looking for in a long-term deal.
While the Steelers carry some risk in the market moving significantly higher toward $40 million APY, Porter isn’t without his own risk. If he forces them into a franchise tag situation, he will have much less leverage, and likely a lower starting point to negotiate a long-term deal. He would be betting on himself to take another significant step forward in 2026.
For now, Porter was added to PUP after something “flared up” during the conditioning test, though it’s fair to wonder if that’s just a way to avoid the bad optics of a hold in. Fittipaldo’s latest thoughts don’t sound great that it will end any time soon.