For the Pittsburgh Steelers, time is running out for the team to sort out the contract kerfuffle with cornerback Joey Porter Jr. General Manager Omar Khan spoke to the media and said he expects all healthy players to practice, hinting it Porter Jr. who was taking off the PUP list on cut day.
But NFL insider Mike Garofolo offered up a rather ominous update on the Porter Jr. situation, noting that the Steelers still haven't made a formal offer to Porter Jr. The team has stuck to its guns that they don't plan to negotiate with Porter Jr. until they see him on the field practicing and can confirm his back injury is behind him.
From @gmfb: The #Steelers and CB Joey Porter Jr. are facing a contract deadline as he manages his back injury, #AZCardinals
RB Jeremiyah Love is working his way back, the #Cowboys waive QB Joe Milton and the #Ravens add competition for K Tyler Loop. pic.twitter.com/9QmBZgebxJ
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 1, 2026
We've always wondered out if this back injury was more of a ploy by Porter Jr. to hold out without really holding out but this is clearly a move by the Steelers to call his bluff. Either way, if Porter Jr. doesn't have a contract by the start of the regular season, he will have to decide what to do because his next opportunity to try won't be until the season is over.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: NFL insider shares ominous update on Joey Porter Jr. contract
