Joey Porter Jr. has earned a raise. The Pittsburgh Steelers, however, are reticent to make him the league's highest-paid cornerback.
While the two sides may simply be playing hardball in negotiations, NFL insider Ian Rapoport suggests a trade could be imminent. While Porter was the 32nd pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, that was also the year the Miami Dolphins were docked a first round pick for tampering -- making the son of the Steelers star the first selection of Day 2. That's important, because it also means there's no fifth-year team option on his rookie contract, making 2026 the final season he's bound to Pittsburgh.
The Steelers could opt to let him play out 2026 and recoup a third-round compensatory pick in 2028 should he leave in free agency. They could choose to franchise tag him next spring in hopes of working out an extension. They could take a look at their devolving quarterback situation and opt to invest in the defense, paying Porter something short of Devon Witherspoon's $33 million per year and work out a long-term deal with a player who's been a Pro Bowl snub in at least two of his three seasons.
Or they could opt to deal him should a team be willing to part with a first round pick to bring him aboard. Who'd fit the bill?
Washington overhauled its defense this spring and could have a majority of new starters on that side of the ball. Adding Porter Jr. would punch up a pass defense that finished 31st in dropback expected points added (EPA) allowed. He'd also move Mike Sainristil into the slot, where he's been more effective as a pro, and give the team some insurance should Trey Amos struggle in his second season as a pro.
#steelers #first #round #making
While the two sides may simply be playing hardball in negotiations, NFL insider Ian Rapoport suggests a trade could be imminent. While Porter was the 32nd pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, that was also the year the Miami Dolphins were docked a first round pick for tampering -- making the son of the Steelers star the first selection of Day 2. That's important, because it also means there's no fifth-year team option on his rookie contract, making 2026 the final season he's bound to Pittsburgh.
The Steelers could opt to let him play out 2026 and recoup a third-round compensatory pick in 2028 should he leave in free agency. They could choose to franchise tag him next spring in hopes of working out an extension. They could take a look at their devolving quarterback situation and opt to invest in the defense, paying Porter something short of Devon Witherspoon's $33 million per year and work out a long-term deal with a player who's been a Pro Bowl snub in at least two of his three seasons.
Or they could opt to deal him should a team be willing to part with a first round pick to bring him aboard. Who'd fit the bill?
Washington overhauled its defense this spring and could have a majority of new starters on that side of the ball. Adding Porter Jr. would punch up a pass defense that finished 31st in dropback expected points added (EPA) allowed. He'd also move Mike Sainristil into the slot, where he's been more effective as a pro, and give the team some insurance should Trey Amos struggle in his second season as a pro.
#steelers #first #round #making
2 months ago
