Omar Khan Steelers
Derek Stingley Jr. reset the cornerback market to $30 million per year over a year ago, a massive 20-percent jump from the previous high of $25 million set by Jaycee Horn just days earlier. At the time, it looked like the cornerback market was finally catching up to other premium positions, with wide receivers and pass rushers experiencing more dramatic increases to the $40 million APY range.
There were four or five candidates to push the cornerback market higher in 2026. Four have now signed—including Christian Gonzalez, whose new $33.75 million APY deal was finalized overnight—yet the market has barely budged. A roughly 10-percent bump is nothing compared to what happened last year.
Joey Porter Jr. now stands alone as the last significant cornerback extension candidate this offseason.
For once, waiting for the market to shake out may have actually benefited the Steelers. I’m sure there are already headlines being written about Porter’s price going up yet again. I’m not so sure that’s the case. In fact, I think it played out about as perfectly as Pittsburgh could have hoped.
While Ian Rapoport speculated that Porter would eventually reset the market once a deal is reached, that doesn’t appear to be in the cards. At least not in Pittsburgh. Local reporters have maintained throughout the offseason that the team does not view him that way. P-G’s Gerry Dulac specifically reported that they don’t view him as a top-five player at his position.
The top tier of cornerbacks are now making at least $30 million APY and approaching $100 million in total guarantees. If the Steelers don’t view him as part of that top tier, nothing that has happened at the top of the market this offseason should have a significant effect on his price tag. The second tier is still in the mid-$20 million APY range, and the 2027 franchise tag is projected well below $30 million.
Pittsburgh almost never gives guarantees beyond the first two years of a deal to non-quarterbacks. They made an exception for T.J. Watt, but that was for a multi-time All-Pro and former Defensive Player of the Year to reset the pass rusher market. It’s hard to see them doing the same for Porter at this point in his career.
Head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed that business conversations are taking place between the two sides. With the Steelers’ self-imposed deadline less than a week away and Gonzalez’s deal now in place, expect those talks to heat up.
If I was a betting man, I would wager Omar Khan is quite pleased with the way the top of the cornerback market has shaken out this offseason for the Steelers as they look to extend Joey Porter Jr.