Steelers Now
Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson is skeptical if Joey Porter Jr. will get a contract extension from the Steelers before the start of the 2026 season.
“I don’t know if it’ll happen because Pittsburgh, they run business a little different from other teams. But I believe Joey is definitely well-deserving of a contract extension,” Peterson recently told D.J. Siddiqi of Online Casino Canada. “He’s a stud. He’s a guy who absolutely erases teams’ No. 1 receivers. I had the opportunity to be with him his rookie year, and it was quite impressive to see what he was able to do throughout that year. The responsibilities that they put on him throughout the year reminded me so much of my rookie season, and he took it like a champ.”
Porter only has three career interceptions, one in each season since he’s entered the league. The lack of INTs has been a knock on him by analysts, but Peterson thinks Porter is among the best in the league at the cornerback position.
“To see him continuing to grow, and to continue to be that cornerstone, not only for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but across the league. I know you don’t get a lot of pub because you don’t have a lot of interceptions, but I’ll tell you one thing: teams’ receivers don’t score on him, and a lot of guys don’t catch the ball on him. As a defensive back, that’s the main objective,” Peterson explained.
Peterson, who was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, doesn’t have a comparison for Porter. He thinks his style of play is truly unique.
“No, he’s in a world of his own, because he doesn’t look fast on film, but he has great speed, and he uses his length to his advantage,” he said.
Porter revealed at minicamp that he expects to be paid as one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks.
“Definitely, I feel like I was an elite guy since I’ve been in this League, and I’m happy that I’m getting the respect that I feel like I’m owed,” Porter said.
Porter has already established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the league during his three seasons in Pittsburgh, recording 165 tackles, one sack, 31 passes defended and three interceptions.
He has also allowed just one touchdown pass in his NFL career, and that was in 2023 as a rookie.
In addition to lack of INTs, the biggest knock against Porter throughout the start of his NFL career has been his penalties. But he even cut those nearly in half in 2025, going from 17 in 2024 to just nine a season ago.
Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trent McDuffie currently leads all cornerbacks, earning $31 million per year on his four-year, $124 million contract.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Former Steelers Cornerback Unsure If Joey Porter Jr. Will Receive Big Payday
