Top NFL Analyst Rips Steelers' Approach to Joey Porter Jr. Contract Situation originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Mike Florio believes the Steelers are putting themselves in a difficult position with their refusal to negotiate contracts once the regular season begins. The Pro Football Talk analyst criticized Pittsburgh's policy while discussing the contract situation involving cornerback Joey Porter Jr., calling the team's approach "outdated and ill-advised." Florio argued the Steelers are unnecessarily limiting their options by refusing to negotiate after Week 1, especially with Porter's future in Pittsburgh becoming increasingly uncertain. "This just underscores the fact that the Steelers' outdated and ill-advised policy toward contracts not completed by Week 1 is going to bite them in the ass on this if they don't get a deal done with Joey Porter," Florio said.
Florio questioned why Pittsburgh would voluntarily eliminate a negotiating tool that other NFL teams have available to them. "Why are you tying a hand behind your back?" Florio said. "Why are you removing a tool that all the other teams have? You self-handcuff yourself." His criticism comes as the Steelers face a shrinking window to reach an agreement with Porter, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Porter was noncommittal Tuesday when asked whether he would play in Week 1 without a contract extension, saying he would need to discuss the situation with the team and his agents.
Would #Steelers Joey Porter, Junior play if no new contract? His answer pic.twitter.com/uDvveG2ta1 — 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) September 1, 2026 Florio believes that stance could leave the Steelers with few attractive options if the sides remain apart when the season begins. "If this isn't done by Week 1, and he says he's not going to play, there aren't a lot of options, and none of them are good at that point," Florio said. The Steelers are scheduled to open the season against the Falcons on Sept. 13, giving the team less than two weeks to reach an agreement with Porter. Pittsburgh has maintained that it will not negotiate with him during the regular season. For Florio, that policy is the bigger issue. He argued that teams can continue playing games while negotiating contracts and questioned the logic behind Pittsburgh refusing to do both at the same time. Porter, meanwhile, said the contract situation has been difficult, but he feels the support from coaches and teammates inside the Steelers' facility. He participated in Tuesday's walk-through after being activated from the physically unable to perform list, but his status for the season opener remains unclear. Florio believes the situation is approaching a critical point, warning that the Steelers could have a significant problem if they cannot reach a deal before Week 1. "I feel like this thing is ticking toward threat level midnight," Florio said. "I think they're going to have an issue." More Steelers
Latest Steelers news How 'Renegade' became Steelers' pump-up song Complete history of Steelers championships