The Pittsburgh Steelers could soon find themselves facing an unexpected decision regarding Joey Porter Jr. The star cornerback is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is reportedly seeking an extension that would pay him around $30 million per year, a figure that would place him among the highest-paid players at his position.
Porter has yet to play in the preseason and remains on the physically unable to perform list, adding another layer of uncertainty to his future in Pittsburgh. Now, NFL insider Jordan Schultz has added fuel to the speculation by revealing that other teams are monitoring Porter’s situation.
“Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. is a name multiple teams around the NFL have wondered about as a potential trade target, per sources. JPJ is in the final year of his rookie contract, and with where the CB market is, teams have wondered if Pittsburgh could ultimately be open to a move with the Pro Bowl caliber corner.”
Will Steelers trade Joey Porter Jr?
Right now, the Steelers won’t trade Joey Porter Jr. However, the timing of the report is particularly intriguing because it does not say they are actively shopping Porter.
Instead, it indicates that rival teams are wondering whether Pittsburgh could eventually become willing to listen to offers if the contract situation remains unresolved. That distinction is important, especially with the cornerback market exploding and Porter reportedly seeking a deal worth approximately $30 million annually.
The Steelers have already invested heavily in members of their 2023 draft class, extending players such as Nick Herbig, Darnell Washington and Keeanu Benton. Porter is now the major remaining piece from that group without a long-term agreement, making his situation increasingly difficult to ignore as the regular season approaches.
