The Pittsburgh Steelers received some bad news regarding Joey Porter Jr.'s contract situation, specifically when it comes to trade speculation surrounding the outstanding cornerback.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Porter is considering both holding out and requesting a trade from the Steelers as he pursues a long-term extension.
"Sources say the Steelers' lack of a formal offer for weeks sent the clear message to Porter that they would like him to play out the final year of his rookie contract, which prompted him to consider the possibility of a trade or sitting out for an extended period," Fowler wrote. "The 26-year-old stayed away from the practice field for weeks but returned Tuesday. Perhaps his participation ignites talks, but he's leaving
that up to his agents."
Trading Porter could arguably be the worst-case scenario for the Steelers, as there's no guarantee they could find another lockdown cornerback as talented as him anytime soon.
Penalties were one of Porter's biggest red flags, but those were way down in 2025. He hasn't allowed a touchdown in coverage over the span of multiple seasons and could look to extend that streak, barring any potential holdout in 2026.
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers get bad news on Joey Porter Jr. contract situation
