Madden: Steelers Risk Disaster as Porter Jr.’s Price Explodes
The Steelers’ Million-Dollar Question: Why Haven’t They Paid Joey Porter Jr.?
The Strange Case of the Backup Bonuses
Imagine you’re at a birthday party. The kid who brought the cake gets a slice last, while the kids who just showed up for the games get the biggest pieces first. That’s basically what’s happening with the Pittsburgh Steelers right now.
The backups got paid BIG money:
- Keeanu Benton (backup defensive lineman): $18 million per year — the highest-paid D-lineman in team history!
- Nick Herbig (backup edge rusher): $25 million per year — more than the starter, Alex Highsmith!
- Darnell Washington (backup tight end): $10.5 million per year
But the star player? Still waiting.
Important Point
Joey Porter Jr. is the team’s starting cornerback and widely considered the most important player on the entire defense. Yet he hasn’t gotten a new contract.
Who Is Joey Porter Jr. and Why Does He Matter?
Think of a cornerback like a shutdown bodyguard for the other team’s best wide receiver. Porter Jr. is elite at this job.
His Report Card (Last 3 Years):
- Only 1 touchdown allowed in coverage
- Opposing QBs had a 56.3 passer rating against him last year — 3rd best in the entire NFL
- Often assigned to cover the other team’s #1 receiver
- Cut penalties way down: From 17 penalties (137 yards) in 2023 → 9 penalties (56 yards) in 2024
What’s Going On Right Now?
The Current Situation:
- Porter is on the PUP list (Physically Unable to Perform) — but many think this is a "hold in" (showing up but not practicing to protest)
- He’s in the final year of his rookie contract
- His 2025 salary cap hit is only $4.9 million — a bargain for a top-tier player
- No new deal is in sight — at least not publicly
Why Haven’t the Steelers Paid Him Yet?
There are a few theories floating around:
Theory 1: Porter Is Playing the Waiting Game
Other cornerbacks just signed massive deals, raising the "market price":
- Devon Witherspoon (Seahawks): $33M/year
- Denzel Ward (Browns): $31.1M/year
- Trent McDuffie (Rams): $31M/year
- Christian Gonzalez (Patriots): Deal coming soon — could go even higher
Porter’s strategy? Wait for the next big deal to push his price even higher.
Theory 2: The Steelers Don’t Value Cornerbacks That Much
Maybe the front office thinks:
- Edge rushers (like Herbig) are worth more
- They can survive with average cornerbacks
- They’d rather franchise tag him next year (~$21.6M now, maybe more later)
Theory 3: The "Steelers Way" Has Changed
The article notes: Art Rooney II’s era = "Capitulation is his calling card."
Translation: The team usually caves and pays players eventually. But this time? They’re dragging their feet.
What Could Happen Next? (The 3 Most Likely Paths)
| Scenario | What It Means | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Deal gets done before Week 1 | Porter practices, plays, everyone’s happy | High (author’s guess) |
| 2. He plays on rookie deal → Franchise tag in 2026 | One more cheap year, then a 1-year ~$25M tag | Medium |
| 3. Holdout drags into season | Misses games, chemistry suffers, bad vibes | Low but possible |
Why the Steelers Should Just Pay Him
The Numbers Don’t Lie:
- $30M/year is the going rate for a top-5 cornerback
- Porter grades out as a top-5 cornerback
- The defense falls apart without him — especially with a new defensive coordinator (Patrick Graham) installing a new system
Bonus Factor:
Mike Tomlin (former coach) would’ve forced this deal through. He had a close relationship with Porter’s dad (ex-Steeler Joey Porter Sr.). Tomlin knew: you pay your best players.
Summary: The Bottom Line
- Backups got paid like stars
- The actual star (Porter Jr.) is still on a rookie deal
- Market value for top CBs just exploded to $31M–$33M/year
- Steelers are waiting. Porter is waiting. Training camp is happening without him.
- He’s worth $30M+/year. The Steelers know it. They’ll likely pay it — eventually.
Important Point
This isn’t about greed. It’s about fairness and market value. If backups get $18M–$25M, the best defender on the team shouldn’t have to beg for $30M.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
What does "hold in" mean?
A "hold in" is when a player reports to team facilities (so they don’t get fined) but refuses to practice or play until they get a new contract. It’s a protest tactic.
What’s the "franchise tag"?
A one-year contract the team can force on a player. It pays the average of the top 5 salaries at that position. For CBs in 2025: ~$21.6 million. It buys time but angers players.
Why did backups get paid before the star?
Good question! Sometimes teams:
- Want to lock up cheap, young depth early
- Think they have more time with the star (rookie contracts last 4–5 years)
- Misjudge the market — and suddenly the star’s price goes up
Is Joey Porter Jr. really that good?
Yes. In 2024:
- 3rd lowest QB rating allowed (56.3)
- Only 9 penalties (down from 17)
- 1 TD allowed in 3 full seasons
- Shadows #1 receivers weekly
That’s elite.
Will this hurt the Steelers in 2025?
Potentially. A new defense (Coach Graham) needs all 11 guys on the same page. Missing your best defender all camp = rusty communication, missed assignments, slow start.
Final Thought:
The Steelers have a championship-caliber cornerback on a rookie salary. They just paid backups like Pro Bowlers.
Pay the man. Build around him. Win now.
Anything else is just noise.