Mike McCarthy just put the ball in Joey Porter Jr.’s court after updating his status ahead of Steelers’ opener against Falcons
The Pittsburgh Steelers notoriously don’t negotiate contracts during the regular season, meaning Joey Porter Jr. and the front office have only a few days left to get a deal done, but that doesn’t chnage Mike McCarthy’s expectations.
Mike McCarthy addressed the media for his first in-season press conference as Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, and the biggest takeaway centered on cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and his availability for Sunday’s Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
McCarthy told reporters that everyone on the 53-man roster who is healthy is expected to play. Porter is no longer on the PUP list, has been practicing, and McCarthy said he is game planning as if the cornerback will be on the field against Atlanta. On the surface, that sounds like a straightforward answer. The reality is a bit more complicated.
Joey Porter Jr. 2025 stats
- 52 tackles
- 14 pass breakups
- 1 interception
The business side of things
When asked what happens if Porter doesn’t play, McCarthy acknowledged that business discussions are ongoing. He made it clear that this is, at the end of the day, a business, and there are business talks taking place between the two sides.
That framing tells you everything you need to know. The Steelers want Porter to play. Pittsburgh is planning for Porter to play. But the decision may ultimately rest with the cornerback and his camp.
The bottom line is this: if a new contract isn’t finalized before the season kicks off, Porter faces a choice. The Steelers have historically drawn a hard line when it comes to in-season negotiations, refusing to engage in contract talks once the regular season begins. That timeline matters. The NFL season opens Wednesday night, meaning Porter and the Steelers could be working against a very real deadline.
What are Joey Porter Jr.’s options?
If no deal materializes by Wednesday night, or even by Saturday before the Falcons game, Porter has two paths in front of him.
He could decide to sit out and stand firm on his business decision, leveraging his availability to force the Steelers’ hand. Or he could suit up, play through the 2026 season, prove his value one more time, and pursue a lucrative deal in the offseason.
Neither option is without risk. Sitting out costs him game reps, could create friction with a new coaching staff, and doesn’t guarantee the contract he wants. Playing without a new deal means absorbing another year of wear and tear at a position where one play can change your earning power forever.
McCarthy’s tone says a lot
What stood out about McCarthy’s presser was the matter-of-fact way he handled the Porter questions. He didn’t dodge, didn’t sugarcoat. He acknowledged the business element without throwing the player under the bus. That’s a deliberate approach from a first-year head coach still establishing the culture in Pittsburgh.
The truth is, this situation is going to define the early-season narrative for the Steelers. Porter is one of the most important players on the roster, and his presence against the Falcons in Week 1 could set the tone for the entire defense. If the two sides can’t bridge the gap before Wednesday, the Steelers may be preparing contingency plans at cornerback sooner than anyone anticipated.
The next few days will tell us a lot about where this is headed.
