Joey Porter Jr. is on the Steelers’ active roster, but he did not take part in the team’s Week 1 victory. Both his short- and long-term future is still unclear after extension talks failed to produce an agreement.
Pittsburgh’s offseason included several big-money extensions, with 2023 draftees Nick Herbig, Keeanu Benton and Darnell Washington among the players agreeing to a second contract. For much of that stretch, though, no formal offer had been made to Porter. Things changed late in the summer, but no last-minute extension agreement (something which been worked out in previous years with respect to Steelers contracts) came to bear.
Porter spent a large portion of training camp on the active/PUP list with a back injury. That ailment was largely perceived to be the pretense for a hold in during contract talks, but in any case if left him off the practice field for a long stretch. Instead of taking part in Week 1, Porter continued his ramp-up period. Head coach Mike McCarthy said (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor) it was his decision to have the disgruntled cornerback sit out Sunday’s game.
McCarthy also said Pittsburgh hopes to increase Porter’s workload over the next few days in advance of a potential return to the lineup. The Steelers’ secondary would of course receive a boost if the 26-year-old were to be back in the fold for Week 2. Porter thrived in coverage last season, posting 14 pass deflections along the way. A similar showing in 2026 would boost his free agent market, although the franchise tag looms as an option for the Steelers regarding the 2027 campaign.
Of course, a trade is also something to watch for in this case. A Sunday report stated team and player appear to be open to a trade and that Porter requested to be moved earlier this offseason. The Penn State product could be a worthwhile target for any number of teams seeking a cornerback addition. On the other hand, any trade would only be feasible with a notable price and an agreement on the part of the acquiring team to authorize an extension. The top of the cornerback market moved three times in 2026, and it now includes six players averaging $30MM or more per season.
Whether or not Porter joins that list – and whether or not that happens with Pittsburgh or another team – will be something to monitor. Nevertheless, a return to the lineup for Week 2 could be in store depending on how his practice workload is managed in the coming days.
