Steelers' outdated contract rule complicates Joey Porter Jr. situation
NBC Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- The Pittsburgh Steelers maintain a strict policy of not negotiating contracts after the regular season begins, a strategy considered outdated in the current salary cap era.
- This policy is causing tension in contract talks with cornerback Joey Porter Jr., as the team and player face a significant gap between salary expectations before Week 1.
- Steelers GM Omar Khan emphasized that all healthy players are expected to practice and play, putting pressure on Porter to either sign or face potential fines or suspensions if he holds out.
- If no agreement is reached before the season starts, the Steelers have limited options: tolerate the holdout, impose disciplinary actions, or trade Porter before the deadline.
- The team's rigid contract approach risks a standoff that could harm both Porter’s career and the Steelers’ long-standing record of avoiding losing seasons.
