Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers got two members of their 2023 draft class signed to long-term deals this past week in outside linebacker Nick Herbig and tight end Darnell Washington. Now, defensive lineman Keeanu Benton and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. are next up.
Porter could be due for a massive payday, even more than Herbig’s four-year, $100 million deal. Porter recently revealed 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.
So, how much is Porter seeking? $24-25 million per year could be the floor.
“I think he wants top-five [cornerback money]. Like, he talked about respect, and that’s what he’s owed, and what he’s earned,” Jeff Hathhorn of 93.7 The Fan said Thursday. “I think the total amount is gonna depend on the number of years, and what the guarantee is … I’m sure the Steelers want control, and want many years. Joey may have a different thought process.
$24, 25 [million] might be the basement floor for him. Porter’s 25. The guys on the list, look at the top-20 salaries, there are two guys that are 30. And one of those guys plays on the same defense as him, Jalen Ramsey.”
Porter, 25, has quickly become one of the best cornerbacks in the league during his three seasons with the Steelers, recording 165 tackles, one sack, 31 passes defensed and three interceptions.
He has also allowed just one touchdown pass in his NFL career, and that was in 2023 as a rookie.
In fact, 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.
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: How Much Money Is Joey Porter Jr. Seeking?
