Last updated: August 27, 2026 · Published: August 26, 2026
The Pittsburgh Steelers and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. have hit a standstill in contract talks, with head coach Mike McCarthy telling reporters on Monday, August 25, that the two sides are at an impasse. The fourth-year cornerback has yet to practice this summer, and with the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons less than three weeks away, the window to get a deal done is narrowing quickly.
McCarthy addresses the stalemate
McCarthy, in his first season as Steelers head coach, addressed the standstill directly. “I learned this in my early years as a head coach, you have to separate the business from the football,” McCarthy said, according to the Associated Press. “Sometimes it’s easier than others.” He added: “Every one of us has a contract. The organization, they have beliefs and so forth. So that’s where we are.” Porter landed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list when camp opened with a back issue — but money appears to be the bigger sticking point.
A rising corner in a booming market
Porter, 26, is entering the final season of the four-year rookie deal he signed after Pittsburgh selected him with the first pick of the second round in 2023. He is coming off his best season as a pro: per Pro Football Rumors, he allowed 5.0 yards per target and a 57.2 passer rating in coverage while posting a career-high 14 pass deflections in 2025. The cornerback market has exploded this offseason — Trent McDuffie landed a $31 million-per-year extension after being traded to the Rams, and Seattle’s Devon Witherspoon signed for $33 million annually, per Pro Football Rumors.
Porter said during minicamp in June that he has long believed he is one of the top players at his position and expects to be paid that way. He grew up in Pittsburgh, where his father, Joey Porter Sr., played and later coached for the Steelers.
No formal offer yet — and the clock is ticking
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported the Steelers have yet to submit a formal extension offer, according to Pro Football Rumors. Because Pittsburgh’s organizational policy of not negotiating contracts during the season remains in place, the coming weeks are effectively the deadline. The Steelers have already extended other members of their 2023 draft class, including outside linebacker Nick Herbig and tight end Darnell Washington, and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Gerry Dulac says the team still wants a deal.
Teammates weigh in
Jalen Ramsey, an eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback back at practice Monday after his own PUP stint, made his feelings clear: “They need to pay Joey Porter,” Ramsey said. The Steelers open the season at home against the Falcons on Sept. 13, and whether their No. 1 cornerback will be on the field and under contract is one of the biggest questions in Pittsburgh.
Watch: What the videos show
McCarthy on the Porter impasse
Coach McCarthy’s comments confirming the sides are at an impasse, with the season opener against the Falcons approaching.
Porter’s market context
Coverage of Porter’s 2025 numbers and the cornerback market boom, including the McDuffie and Witherspoon deals that frame his asking price.
What is confirmed vs speculation
| Confirmed | Not confirmed |
| McCarthy says the sides are at an impasse | Porter’s exact contract demands — he has not publicly detailed them |
| Porter is on the PUP list and has not practiced this summer | That the back issue, not money, is the main hold-up |
| No formal extension offer has been submitted (per Mike Garafolo) | That Porter will sit out games if no deal is reached |
| The Steelers’ no-in-season-negotiation policy is in place | The final contract numbers a deal would land on |
Frequently asked questions
Why is Joey Porter Jr. not practicing?
He is on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list with a back issue, but the contract impasse appears to be the bigger sticking point.
What contract is Porter playing under?
The final season of his four-year rookie deal, signed after being drafted with the first pick of the second round in 2023.
Has Pittsburgh made a formal offer?
Not yet. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported no formal extension offer has been submitted, per Pro Football Rumors.
Why is the deadline now?
Because the Steelers do not negotiate contracts during the season, the coming weeks before the Sept. 13 opener are effectively the deadline.
How good was Porter in 2025?
He allowed 5.0 yards per target and a 57.2 passer rating in coverage, with a career-high 14 pass deflections — his best season as a pro.
What are comparable cornerback deals?
Trent McDuffie got $31 million per year after being traded to the Rams, and Seattle’s Devon Witherspoon signed for $33 million annually.
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Sources: NFL.com (Associated Press), Pro Football Rumors
