Pittsburgh Steelers cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr. and Asante Samuel Jr. share some things in common. Both are young and successful NFL corners in the Steelers secondary who are capable of being Pro Bowl players. Their dads both played in the NFL and are vocal supporters of their sons on and off the field.
A four-time Pro Bowl corner and two time Super Bowl champion with the Patriots. Asante Samuel Sr. had harsh words for his son’s teammate when discussing Porter Jr.’s contract extension talks with the Steelers.
“I don’t think he’s handling the situation the best way, not going to practice,” Samuel Sr. said on Say What Needs to be Said. “You’ve got to know when to read the room and who you’re dealing with.”
Porter Jr. remains on the PUP list with a back injury and hasn’t participated in any team drills.
Head coach Mike McCarthy said on Monday that he would like to see the defensive coaching staff work with Porter Jr. before the Steelers take the field against Atlanta.
“These people seem like they really get offended over there in Pittsburgh,” Samuel Sr. said. “They really are in tune to what’s going on, their players, who their players are and playing their players. They do things a certain way, they don’t like to break bread.”
The Steelers have already signed linebacker Nick Herbig, tight end Darnell Washington, and defensive lineman Keeanu Benton to long-term extensions. All are from the 2023 draft class that was led by Broderick Jones and Porter, who was thought to be the priority going into OTAs and minicamp. McCarthy said the talks have reached an “impasse” between the two negotiating parties.
Discussions appear to be far apart and could be regarding average annual value, or guaranteed money.
Seattle signed star corner Devon Witherspoon to a four-year, $132 million deal to reset the market at the position. The $33 million per year deal includes $101 million guaranteed. Patriots corner Christian Gonzalez is also up for an extension and could require a deal in the same range.
It increases the price for Porter Jr. and only complicates the process for the Steelers, dealing with a shifting market rather than locking up Porter Jr. before Witherspoon signed. The two sides have until the season opener against Atlanta on September 13 to work out a deal, or Porter Jr. will play out the final year of his deal and risk being given the franchise tag going into 2027.
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