Tim Benz: You may not like what Joey Porter Jr. had to say, but he was smart to say it
TribLIVE.com • • sports
Key Points:
- Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is in a contract dispute as he enters the final year of his rookie deal, seeking an extension around $30 million per year, aligning with top NFL cornerback salaries this offseason.
- Porter has been limited in practice due to a back injury, which he insists is legitimate and the reason for his absence, though the Steelers also cite "business" reasons for keeping him on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
- The Steelers' secondary is already dealing with injuries, and Porter's holdout or limited participation could further strain their defense, especially with a new coordinator and system to learn.
- The situation mirrors recent NFL trends where final contract years are often renegotiated or lead to holdouts, with teams and players treating these contracts as less binding than in the past.
- Despite the standoff, it is likely a deal will be reached eventually, similar to past Steelers contract disputes, with Porter needing to prove his value on the field to justify his salary demands.
