The Joey Porter Jr. situation has started to draw attention well beyond Pittsburgh, but a trade still feels like a long shot.
The Steelers cornerback remains without a long-term extension, and that delay has prompted multiple teams around the league to check in on whether he could become available, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. Porter Jr. is in the final year of his rookie deal, and he has now watched three other members of his draft class sign extensions with the Steelers this offseason while he has stayed out of training camp and the preseason picture.
Porter Jr. has not taken part in practice during camp and is not expected to play in the preseason. Head coach Mike McCarthy said Porter Jr. tweaked something in his back and was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform List after the team’s mobility test. McCarthy has not had any further update since then.
Porter Jr. did participate in some install work during OTAs and minicamp, but he was widely viewed as a hold-in. Some around the situation have speculated that the PUP designation was used to avoid the optics of that hold-in continuing into training camp.
Even with outside interest building, the Steelers do not appear eager to move him. The team has not landed a deal yet, and there were stretches this summer when communication was thin, but there are still steps left before Pittsburgh would seriously consider a trade.
The biggest reason is simple: the Steelers want Porter Jr. on the roster this season. With Aaron Rodgers back and a new coaching staff in place, Pittsburgh is preparing for a playoff push, and its top cornerback is part of that plan.
There is also another layer to this: if the sides still cannot get something done, Pittsburgh could use the franchise tag next offseason and try again.
For now, the expectation still leans toward a deal. Porter Jr.’s asking price is believed to be above what the Steelers originally had in mind, but neither side seems interested in rolling into the season without an agreement.
Christian Gonzalez and Porter Jr. are the last two big-name cornerbacks still seeking new deals this summer, and Gonzalez is expected to move first. Once he sets the market with a record contract, Porter Jr. will likely be next in line as he looks to land the best possible number from Pittsburgh.
So yes, teams are watching. But a Porter Jr. trade this offseason still doesn’t look likely. Not right now, anyway.
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