Steelers hurtling toward a Joey Porter Jr. problem

FeedzyPittsburgh will have to solve this one in the next half-year or so. Read More
Steelers hurtling toward a Joey Porter Jr. problem originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to hand out big contracts.
Advertisement

The next one is a deal that has to happen sooner rather than later: Joey Porter Jr.
To be clear, it’s a good problem to have. The Steelers have a talented young cornerback in Porter that is entering the final year of his contract.
But it’d be smart for the Steelers to not let this linger too long. If negotiations were to get messy, it could push Porter to consider what his other options might be at the end of his deal.
MORE: Chiefs’ new contract makes it even harder to release Patrick Mahomes
Porter was a second-round pick when he was drafted, which means he didn’t get a fifth-year option on his deal, which is why he’s now at the end of his rookie contract.
Advertisement

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell wrote in a new article on Thursday that Porter could set the new CB record for average annual salary when he signs his new contract.
Currently, the mark is held by Trent McDuffie, who is getting $31 million per year from the Los Angeles Rams.
“After Pittsburgh signed linebacker Nick Herbig and tight end Darnell Washington to extensions in recent weeks, Porter and defensive tackle Keeanu Benton should be next up for the Steelers,” Barnwell writes.
MORE: Will they still be called the Chicago Bears if they play in Indiana?
Advertisement

Barnwell does warn that Porter may not hold the record for long.
“Laying in wait are Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean of the Eagles, who could be looking at something in the ballpark of $35 million per season when they become eligible for new deals next offseason,” Barnwell writes.
The boundaries are well covered in the state of Pennsylvania, apparently.
And soon, Porter will be well paid — as long as the Steelers get a deal done and avoid any last-minute drama.

A.J. Brown and Stefon Diggs have a Patriots, Bills, Drake Maye, Josh Allen link

Josh Allen called out by a coach with a major losing record

Lamar Jackson has an obvious reason not to sign right now

Myles Garrett’s Browns career comes to the most Cleveland of endings

There’s a risk the OBJ signing is a mistake