The Steelers have reached an uneasy spot with Joey Porter Jr., and the price to move him has already changed.
What once looked like a straightforward extension now has the feel of a standoff. Porter Jr., entering his fourth year, is no longer being discussed as a long-term lock in Pittsburgh, and the most likely outcome at this point is a trade.
A few months ago, the conversation would have started with a first-round pick and more. The comparison to the Trent McDuffie deal between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Rams made sense then, because the Rams were getting a cornerback they could pair with a new extension. That kind of package is off the table now.
The delay matters. The longer Porter Jr. sits without playing, the less leverage the Steelers have and the more questions a new team will have to answer. His coverage ability isn’t in doubt, but any team trading for him now would have to factor in how long it may take him to get up to speed in a new system.
There’s also the contract issue. Porter Jr. still hasn’t gotten an offer he considers acceptable, and any team that wants him would have to decide whether it is comfortable with whatever he is asking for on the extension. If that number is too rich, it could drag down the trade value too.
Right now, a second-round pick looks like the most Pittsburgh can reasonably ask for. Veteran team insider Gerry Dulac has even suggested the return could drop to a third-rounder, which would mirror what happened last offseason with George Pickens.
If the Steelers are truly done with Porter Jr., they may not wait around for ideal value. They have a history of moving talented players for less than expected, and that includes George Pickens and Antonio Brown. In this case, a second-round pick would be a win compared with where things could go if the stalemate keeps dragging on.
In Other News...
Steelers Hit With Two Costly Absences Ahead Of Patriots Trip
The Steelers head into their trip to New England dealing with a pair of absences that change both sides of the ball. Joey Porter Jr. is out while contract negotiations continue, and Michael Pittman Jr. will miss the game because of a foot injury, leaving Pittsburgh thinner at cornerback and taking away one of its receiving options before facing the Patriots.
Germie Bernard now looks set for a bigger role with Pittman Jr. sidelined, which gives the rookie a chance to make himself part of the conversation a little earlier than expected. For a Steelers team trying to stay steady on the road, the timing of these absences only adds to the challenge of getting through a tricky AFC test. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Secondary Faces A Different Kind Of Test This Week
A.J. Brown landing on injured reserve changes the shape of Pittsburghs Week 2 assignment, but it does not make the Patriots passing game any easier to sort out. Mike Vrabel said Brown worked from multiple receiver spots, and with him out, New England is expected to spread those looks around, using players such as Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas and Romeo Doubs in different ways.
For the Steelers secondary, the challenge becomes less about tracking one featured target and more about adjusting to a receiver rotation that can shift from snap to snap. Browns absence removes a familiar centerpiece, but it also leaves Pittsburgh preparing for a more varied New England attack, which can be its own kind of test for a defensive backfield. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Could Be Forced To Lean On An Unexpected Rookie In Week 2
The Steelers are heading into a Week 2 matchup with New England already having to sort through a receiver situation that could reshape their game plan. Michael Pittman Jr. is listed as questionable because of a foot injury, and if he cannot go, Pittsburgh may need to turn to Germie Bernard, a rookie who was still trying to make his mark in the preseason not long ago.
Bernards possible jump from developmental depth piece to meaningful snaps would be a notable twist for an offense that would prefer more certainty this early in the season. The Patriots present a good test for any young receiver, and Pittsburgh may find itself leaning on Bernard sooner than expected if Pittmans status does not clear up before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]