A Veteran’s Hard Words
Asante Samuel Sr. is not holding back on his take regarding Joey Porter Jr. The former All-Pro cornerback spoke directly about the ongoing contract dispute involving his son’s teammate. According to Behind the Steel Curtain, Samuel Sr. believes Porter Jr. is making a mistake by skipping practice sessions. “I don’t think he’s handling the situation the best way, not going to practice,” Samuel Sr. said on the Say What Needs to be Said podcast. This blunt assessment comes as the team waits for a resolution before the regular season kicks off.
The situation has grown tense because Porter Jr. remains on the PUP list with a back injury. He has not participated in any team drills yet. On Monday, Head coach Mike McCarthy stated he wants the defensive coaching staff to collaborate with Porter Jr. prior to the Steelers facing Atlanta on the field. The silence from the player side is loud, but the veteran voice from the past is louder.
Reading the Room in Pittsburgh
Samuel Sr. pointed out a specific cultural gap that might be causing the friction. He feels the young star does not understand the unique nature of the organization. “You’ve got to know when to read the room and who you’re dealing with,” Samuel Sr. said. The Steelers have a long history of doing things their own way, and they do not like to break bread with players who push too hard too soon. This approach often frustrates outsiders who expect standard league negotiations.
According to Behind the Steel Curtain, Samuel Sr. noted that people in Pittsburgh seem to get offended easily when players act differently than the team expects. “These people seem like they really get offended over there in Pittsburgh,” he said. The organization is very in tune with what is going on with their players and who they are. They know how to play their players, but they also know how to hold their ground during contract talks.
The talks have reached a difficult point. McCarthy said the negotiations have hit an “impasse” between the two negotiating parties. Talks seem widely separated and might involve average annual value or guaranteed money. Long-term extensions have already been secured by the Steelers for linebacker Nick Herbig, tight end Darnell Washington, and defensive lineman Keeanu Benton. Every player belongs to the 2023 draft class led by Broderick Jones and Porter, considered the priority entering OTAs and minicamp.
Ignoring the team culture while asking for top dollar creates a rift that is hard to fix quickly. Samuel Sr. warned that the team does not like to break bread with those who do not respect the process. “They do things a certain way, they don’t like to break bread,” he said. If Porter Jr. wants a deal, he needs to show up and show the team he understands the game they play together. The clock is ticking as the season approaches, and the pressure is mounting for both sides to find a common path forward.
