Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. looks on during a minicamp practice in June at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Porter remains on the physically unable to perform list while he and the team negotiate a contract extension. (Chaz Palla | TribLive)
On the day that Jalen Ramsey came off the physically unable to perform list, the other important Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back remains on PUP.
And regardless of any injury Joey Porter Jr. is dealing with, coach Mike McCarthy did not offer an encouraging outlook on the ongoing contract negotiations between Porter and the Steelers.
“We’re at an impasse right here,” McCarthy said before Monday’s practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, “and you’ve got to respect that. Every one of us has a contract, and the organization, they have beliefs and so forth.
“That’s just kind of where we are.”
The beliefs McCarthy references in part include that the Steelers will not negotiate with players once the regular season begins.
Surely, too, part of the impasse involves average annual salary, guaranteed money and signing bonuses. Over the course of this summer, three cornerbacks have signed contract extensions with teams that average more than $30 million per season. According to spotrac.com, eight NFL cornerbacks have signed contracts with guarantees of at least $60 million.
Entering his fourth season, Porter has been a starter at outside corner since midway through his rookie 2023 season after he was a second-round pick. Porter, who turned 26 last month, has been the Steelers’ so-called shutdown corner for most of that time. According to Pro Football Focus, Porter has not allowed a touchdown while in coverage since 2023.
On reporting day to Saint Vincent College on July 28, Porter was not among the players listed in the Steelers’ initial announcement about placing Ramsey and Donte Kent on PUP. It was not until later in the day Porter was listed on PUP, a designation that keeps a player on the 90-man camp roster but does not allow him to participate in practice.
The Steelers described Porter’s injury as a back ailment. In describing the nature of Porter’s injury the following day, McCarthy said “he had something that flared up.”
When asked about Porter’s status on Monday, McCarthy did not make any reference to an injury.
“I’ve always (said) — and I learned this in my early years as a head coach — you have to separate the business and the football,” McCarthy said in reference to Porter. “Sometimes, it’s easier than others. This is a challenge for both Joey and us because we’re a first-year staff. We’ve seen him play, I’ve competed against Joey. I would love the opportunity to coach Joey Porter. I know our defensive guys would love the opportunity.”
The Steelers conclude their preseason schedule Thursday and open up the regular season Sept. 13 against the Atlanta Falcons. This coming Sunday, NFL teams must cut rosters down to the regular-season limit of 53. A player who remains on PUP at that point must miss the first four games of the regular season.
Porter is scheduled to make $3.924 million this season under the terms of his rookie contract signed in 2023. He is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent after the season — if he plays this season and if the Steelers do not extend his contract nor apply the franchise tag to Porter.
Porter was often spotted on a far field at Saint Vincent during camp practices, working on his own or with the likes of Ramsey and Kent.
Porter has not been made available to media since early June.
About the Writer
Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.