The rising tide floats all boats, and the tide just got quite high for the NFL’s cornerback market. After trading for Trent McDuffie earlier in the week, the Los Angeles Rams have finalized a record-breaking deal to make him the highest-paid corner in league history, according to Adam Schefter on X. That could mean trouble for the Steelers as they work to extend Joey Porter Jr. this offseason.
ESPN sources: Rams and Trent McDuffie reached agreement today on a record four-year, $124 million extension that includes $100 million guaranteed and makes him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. McDuffie gets a trade and a new deal days apart as the Rams and CAA Football… pic.twitter.com/53cisV7oG8
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2026
McDuffie is signing a four-year, $124 million contract extension with $100 million guaranteed. That $31 million average salary per season edges out Sauce Gardner’s $30.1 million and Derek Stingley Jr.’s $30 million. All of those deals were signed in the last 12 months, clearly showing an upward trend in the position’s market. Below those three is Jaycee Horn at $25 million and Steelers cornerback-turned-safety Jalen Ramsey at $24.1 million.
Drafted with the 32nd pick in the 2023 draft as a second-round pick, the Steelers don’t have a fifth-year option to kick the can down the road. They need to extend Porter now or risk him becoming a free agent after next season. How high might his APY be? His agent will surely point to the fact that he’s allowed zero touchdowns in three seasons, and that he dramatically improved his penalty output in year three.
With just three interceptions in three years, his lack of ball production could hold him back from earning top dollar, but he has a healthy 31 passes defensed over that time, including 14 in 2025. Over the Cap estimates his contract at $20,028,000, but that was before the McDuffie deal.
OTC’s suggestion would make him the 10th highest-paid player at the position. That sounds about right, but recent developments could push his number a bit higher. Certainly the guaranteed money will be a large part of the negotiation process given McDuffie’s $100 million GTD.
Porter is one of the best young corners in the league. Having to pay him a large amount is a good thing for the Steelers, but waiting until deep into training camp as they have with others in the past could push his price even higher. It would be in their best interest to lock in Joey Porter Jr.’s deal as soon as possible.
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