Joey Porter Jr. has earned a increase. The Pittsburgh Steelers, nevertheless, are reticent to make him the league's highest-paid cornerback.
Whereas the 2 sides might merely be enjoying hardball in negotiations, NFL insider Ian Rapoportt. Whereas Porter was the thirty second choose of the 2023 NFL Draft, that was additionally the yr the Miami Dolphins had been docked a primary spherical choose for tampering — making the son of the Steelers star the primary collection of Day 2. That's essential, as a result of it additionally means there's no fifth-year staff choice on his rookie contract, making 2026 the ultimate season he's sure to Pittsburgh.
The Steelers may choose to let him play out 2026 and recoup a third-round compensatory choose in 2028 ought to he go away in free company. They might select to franchise tag him subsequent spring in hopes of figuring out an extension. They might check out their devolving quarterback state of affairs and choose to spend money on the protection, paying Porter one thing in need of Devon Witherspoon's $33 million per yr and work out a long-term take care of a participant who's been a Professional Bowl snub in not less than two of his three seasons.
Or they may choose to deal him ought to a staff be keen to half with a primary spherical choose to convey him aboard. Who'd match the invoice?
Washington Commanders
Washington overhauled its protection this spring and will have a majority of recent starters on that aspect of the ball. Including Porter Jr. would punch up a cross protection that d. He'd additionally transfer Mike Sainristil into the slot, the place he's been more practical as a professional, and provides the staff some insurance coverage ought to Trey Amos wrestle in his second season as a professional.
Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones received proactive to enhance an terrible protection finally yr's commerce deadline, giving up a 2027 first rounder for Quinnen Williams. A part of the explanation that protection was so dangerous was due to the Micah Parsons commerce, which granted him a second 2027 Day 1 choose to deal away.
Including Porter Jr. to a protection that landed Caleb Downs within the draft would create a basis of younger expertise in Dallas. It could additionally give Jones one other wage cap headache that chips away at his roster depth, although at this level it appears he wouldn't have issues another manner.
Chicago Bears
Tyrique Stevenson is completely acceptable because the staff's CB2 behind Jaylon Johnson. And, logically, any first spherical capital ought to go to punching up a disappointing cross rush. But when Chicago can't strain the quarterback, the subsequent smartest thing could be a stocked secondary full of guys who can preserve opposing receivers from getting open. The Bears' 0.88 EPA allowed per dropback ranked twentieth final yr, fourth-worst amongst playoff groups.
Los Angeles Chargers
Cam Hart and Porter Jr. on the sidelines with Tarheeb Nonetheless working within the slot and Derwin James manning the center of the sector? That's one hell of a unit to maintain Patrick Mahomes and Bo Nix from shining.
Move protection isn't a precedence for what was already a stable group, however Los Angeles clearly wants a booster pack to interrupt by means of from good to nice. However would Pittsburgh wish to ship Porter to a staff it could probably see within the playoffs?
Detroit Lions
Detroit used a primary spherical choose in hopes of touchdown a franchise cornerback in 2024. That resulted in Terrion Arnold, who struggled and was later launched after being charged with kidnapping and theft this offseason. Porter isn't only a do-over; he's a confirmed expertise who may be a right away rising tide for a franchise whose Tremendous Bowl momentum slowed to a trickle in 2025. With 7, the Lions may afford to fulfill Porter's asking value.
This text initially appeared on For The Win: .
