Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike McCarthy said Monday, Aug. 24 that the team is at an "impasse" in contract negotiations with Joey Porter Jr.
The stated reason has been a back injury that flared up during a mobility workout at the start of training camp. But McCarthy’s comments Monday made clear that the contract standoff is also complicating Porter’s return.
"We’re at an impasse right here, and you’ve got to respect that," McCarthy told reporters. "Every one of us has a contract. The organization, they have beliefs and so forth. But yeah, that’s just kind of where we are."
Three-time first-team All-Pro teammate Jalen Ramsey weighed in separately.
Like Porter, Ramsey
has missed the entire preseason to this point with an injury. He was back at practice on Monday, though, and advocated for the team to get a deal done.
There is urgency to the situation because the Steelers have a policy of not negotiating contracts once the regular season begins.
‘Joey needs to get compensated
— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) August 24, 2026
A little more from Jalen Ramsey on Joey Porter, Junior’s value to #Steelers pic.twitter.com/YGQCJ3Dyiv
"I’m overly in Joey’s corner," Ramsey told reporters. "Joey needs to get compensated for being a valuable part of this secondary and a valuable part of this defense and team."
Porter is entering the final year of his rookie contract. He was selected with the first pick of the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft and has started since midway through his debut season.
He’s watched three other draft classmates get big paydays this offseason. Linebacker Nick Herbig and tight end Darnell Washington were signed to major extensions in June. More recently, defensive lineman Keeanu Benton signed a new deal during training camp.
None of the three are starters on the current depth chart, though Benton has started in the past. Many observers have wondered why a deal with Porter wasn’t prioritized.
Meanwhile, the market for cornerbacks has heated up around the league this summer. Seattle’s Devon Witherspoon and Cleveland’s Denzel Ward recently signed deals that will pay them at least $30 million per year on average. Five corners now make at least that much on an annual basis, adding pressure to the Steelers’ side of negotiations.
McCarthy made clear that he hopes the situation is cleared up to help smooth the transition for his first-year coaching staff.
"We’ve seen him play. I’ve competed against Joey," McCarthy said. "I would love the opportunity to coach Joey Porter, and I know our defensive guys would love the opportunity."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steelers, Joey Porter Jr. are at contract 'impasse,' coach Mike McCarthy says
