The Joey Porter Jr. contract drama plaguing the Pittsburgh Steelers has been quite the distraction over the past several months, and a new report has shed light on a major roadblock in extension talks.
According to sports analyst Frank Michael Smith, a source has indicated that the roadblock impacting the Steelers-Porter contract negotiations has everything to do with guaranteed money.
"A source close to Joey Porter Jr. just told me the only piece blocking a deal is guaranteed money," Smith wrote. "In a 4 year deal, the Steelers won't commit to anything over $33 million. Porter requested guaranteed cash closer to Gonzalez & Witherspoon. Each received ~$100m."
Porter has looked terrific over the past three years, steadily improving each season since
entering the league in 2023. While the Steelers are better off paying Porter than trading him, that hasn't stopped rumors from swirling.
Still, Porter's level of play is nearly irreplaceable, and if guaranteed money is the real deal breaker here, Pittsburgh needs to give in and pay him. But that'll unfortunately have to wait until after 2026, as the team notoriously refuses to negotiate contracts midseason.
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: New Joey Porter Jr. drama details reveal major Steelers roadblock
