Joey Porter Jr. Pittsburgh Steelers
Getty
Joey Porter Jr. #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers
After a disappointing playoff exit, losing to the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round, the Pittsburgh Steelers head into the NFL offseason with a lot to address.
Following longtime head coach Mike Tomlin’s shocking resignation, the Steelers’ brass brought in Pittsburgh native Mike McCarthy to lead the storied franchise moving forward. The move could help the team stay relevant and competitive in 2026, even though the hiring hasn’t sat well with fans of the six-time Super Bowl champions.
Along with hiring McCarthy to be the new head coach, the Steelers will wait on Aaron Rodgers‘ decision on whether he’ll play next season and try to upgrade the roster as best they can.
Joey Porter Jr. Sends Message to Steelers
Joey Porter Jr. Pittsburgh Steelers
GettyJoey Porter Jr. #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers
One Steelers star who is anxious to secure his long-term future with the franchise is cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who took to his Instagram account to send a message to the decision-makers in Pittsburgh via Matthew Luciow.
Matthew Luciow
Joey Porter jr on Instagram
“3 years no TDs! Yall favorite wrs can never say they touch paint fwm.”
#steelers
“Three years, no touchdowns! Porter Jr. said on his Instagram account. “Y’all favorite wide receivers can never say they touch paint fwm!!!
Porter Jr. has been a solid player in the Steelers’ secondary since the team drafted him with the No. 32 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Penn State.
During his time with the Steelers, he has recorded 165 total tackles, 31 pass deflections, 3 interceptions and 1.0 sack.
It remains to be seen what the Steelers decide to do with Porter Jr. moving forward, but it would be safe to assume they’ll get a deal done with the 25-year-old at some point during the NFL offseason.
The team will likely handle Porter Jr.’s future with the franchise, along with many of its current players, after the Steelers go through the NFL free agency process and the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
Steelers Get Promising Update on Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers Pittsburgh Steelers
GettyAaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers
With McCarthy being the new leader on the sideline, Rodgers might be more inclined to come back to the Steelers for at least one more season in Pittsburgh. The superstar quarterback won his only Super Bowl title while playing for McCarthy with the Green Bay Packers.
However, the four-time NFL MVP quarterback has yet to officially make a decision on his status for the 2026 campaign, but things might be trending in the right direction for Pittsburgh, according to Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show.
Mark Kaboly
MAILBAG: Is Aaron Rodgers really coming back; Kaleb Johnson; WR2 and Steelers beef
Mark Kaboly / Steelers Correspondent For The @PatMcAfeeShow
PITTSBURGH — Mike McCarthy’s coaching staff is in place, so now it’s time for arguably the most important part of the offseason to kick
“I fully expect Rodgers to sign with the Steelers within the next month,” Kaboly said.
If Rodgers decides to return, the Steelers can focus on other areas of the roster, like securing Porter’s long-term future with the team.
During the 2025 NFL season, Rodgers played in 16 regular-season games, throwing for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He led the squad to a 10-7 record and an AFC North division title, which punched the team’s ticket to the NFL playoffs once again.
Even though he’ll turn 43 in December, the future Hall of Famer is still playing at a high level and can add to his legacy with another season in Pittsburgh.