The Pittsburgh Steelers have hit a clear roadblock with one of their top young defenders. Head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed Monday that the team and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. are at a contract impasse. This is not speculation. It came straight from the coach.
A Stalled Deal for a Top Cornerback
Porter Jr. is entering the final year of his rookie contract and remains a key piece of the secondary. The two sides have not been able to bridge the gap on a new deal. McCarthy said the club is at an impasse and that both the organization and the player have their positions. Talks appear to have stalled.
Porter has been on the physically unable to perform list since the start of training camp after a back issue flared up. He was present for some OTAs and minicamp but largely sat out drills. McCarthy noted the situation is complicated because this is a first-year coaching staff that has had almost no chance to work with him in pads.
The Risk of Losing Time
Leaving a starting-caliber cornerback in limbo this close to the season creates real uncertainty. The Steelers open the regular season against Atlanta on Sept. 13. Every day without progress keeps Porter off the practice field and limits how much the new defensive scheme can incorporate him.
McCarthy made clear he would love the chance to coach Porter and that the defensive staff feels the same. At the same time, he stressed the need to separate the business side from the football side. For now, the two remain stuck.
The clock is running. A resolution would give the secondary a major boost. Until then, the Steelers are operating without one of their best young defenders in the building.
