- May 21, 2026
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Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. wants a new contract. If he doesn't have one before the season starts, he's not sure if he'll be on the field.
Asked today if he'll play Week One without a new deal, Porter was noncommittal.
“I don’t know. I would have to talk to the guys upstairs and my agents about that one," Porter said.
Some of Porter's answers to reporters' questions were contradictory: Porter was just activated from the physically unable to perform list, and when asked if he'll play if he's healthy, Porter answered, "Yeah, for sure, maybe."
Porter did participate in today's walk-through practice but said that's not any indication of what he'll be doing when the Steelers open the season on Sunday, September 13, against the Falcons.
"I really can't speak too much to the future, but today I was out there, running with the guys, still trying to get back fully, but we're going to try to take it day by day for the most part, and that's the same page me and coach have been on so far," Porter said.
Porter said his contract situation has weighed on him but he thinks he has the support of the people in the Steelers' facility.
“It's been tough, not going to lie," Porter said. "It's my first go around this, but I mean, it's been also great because I have all my guys with me, all the coaches and players really on my side, understand everything about the business side of things. . . . It's been a little bit tough, but at the end of the day, it is what it is."
The Steelers say they won't negotiate with Porter during the regular season, which means they have less than two weeks to get a deal done. And Porter is sending a message that if they don't get a deal done, he may not be there when the season starts.
Asked today if he'll play Week One without a new deal, Porter was noncommittal.
“I don’t know. I would have to talk to the guys upstairs and my agents about that one," Porter said.
Some of Porter's answers to reporters' questions were contradictory: Porter was just activated from the physically unable to perform list, and when asked if he'll play if he's healthy, Porter answered, "Yeah, for sure, maybe."
Porter did participate in today's walk-through practice but said that's not any indication of what he'll be doing when the Steelers open the season on Sunday, September 13, against the Falcons.
"I really can't speak too much to the future, but today I was out there, running with the guys, still trying to get back fully, but we're going to try to take it day by day for the most part, and that's the same page me and coach have been on so far," Porter said.
Porter said his contract situation has weighed on him but he thinks he has the support of the people in the Steelers' facility.
“It's been tough, not going to lie," Porter said. "It's my first go around this, but I mean, it's been also great because I have all my guys with me, all the coaches and players really on my side, understand everything about the business side of things. . . . It's been a little bit tough, but at the end of the day, it is what it is."
The Steelers say they won't negotiate with Porter during the regular season, which means they have less than two weeks to get a deal done. And Porter is sending a message that if they don't get a deal done, he may not be there when the season starts.