Week 1 may be here, but the AFC North already has a couple of contract storylines simmering - and one of them could turn into a trade market before long.
For the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, the situation is relatively calm. Cleveland doesn’t have much in the way of major extension noise around the roster right now.
GM Andrew Berry could still explore new deals for a few defensive starters, but most of the Browns’ young core is still operating on rookie contracts, while players like CB Denzel Ward and S Grant Delpit already got taken care of this offseason. The Bengals, meanwhile, are heading into the opener on mostly stable footing.
The same can’t be said for the rest of the division.
In Baltimore, Lamar Jackson remains the biggest name in the mix, and the long-term picture still carries real uncertainty. Jackson is under contract for this season and next, but if no new deal gets done, the Ravens would be staring at more than $80 million on the salary cap in 2027.
His deal also includes a no-tag and no-trade clause, which gives him considerable leverage as the sides continue to stand apart. At this point, it sounds like one or both sides may not be interested in long-term extension talks.
That tension may not boil over until the offseason, but in Pittsburgh the issue is already tied to Week 1.
Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. sat out or was away from most of the team’s offseason work, and the chatter around the league has pointed to a back injury that is really about contract business. Porter added fuel to that idea when he was asked about his Week 1 availability and said, “I don’t know. I would have to talk to the guys upstairs and my agents about that one.”
According to Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport, the situation may ultimately only be solved with a trade. Pittsburgh does not negotiate during the season, and the two sides remain far apart on a new contract. The Steelers have been willing to listen to offers for Porter, but they have not seen anything close to what they want - a premium draft pick, potentially a first-rounder - and no serious trade talks have developed even with the team open to moving him.
It remains to be seen whether injuries or a drop in Pittsburgh’s asking price could change that. For now, the possibility of a Porter trade is still hanging out there.
Baltimore and Pittsburgh are dealing with very different kinds of leverage. The Ravens have little control over the Jackson situation and may eventually have to give the former MVP what he wants or work toward a trade he signs off on.
The Steelers, by contrast, can franchise tag Porter and could even fine him if they determine he is healthy. Porter’s own comment about needing to speak with his agents and the front office may end up strengthening Pittsburgh’s position.
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