BREAKING: Steelers’ Contract Offer to Joey Porter Jr. Revealed — $28 Million AAV, But No Second-Year Guarantees

PITTSBURGH — The full details of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ failed contract negotiations with cornerback Joey Porter Jr. have finally surfaced, revealing an offer that reached $28 million in average annual value but collapsed over the team’s refusal to guarantee money beyond the first year.

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport broke down the offer during Sunday’s pregame show, days after the Steelers traded Porter to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick .

According to Rapoport, the Steelers presented Porter with a deal that reached $28 million in average annual value — a figure that would have made him one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL. There was “significant money guaranteed for injury,” but not fully guaranteed in the second year .

“The Steelers presented Porter with a deal that reached $28 million in average annual value — a pitch that would’ve been the starting point for a deal to be consummated,” Rapoport reported. “There was significant money guaranteed for injury, but not fully in the second year, as the Steelers held firm on a stance they have used often over the past few years” .

The Guarantee Standoff

Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the Steelers’ organizational philosophy of avoiding second-year guarantees was the primary reason the negotiations fell apart . Pittsburgh is among the few NFL teams — alongside Green Bay and Cincinnati — that consistently avoid guarantees past Year 1 .

The Steelers have made exceptions in recent years, granting second-year guarantees to star pass rusher T.J. Watt and wide receiver DK Metcalf. But they declined to do so for Porter, a 2023 second-round pick who has yet to earn a Pro Bowl selection .

Porter reportedly sought more than $30 million per year on a new deal — a figure only six cornerbacks in the league currently command . The $28 million offer from Pittsburgh fell short of that mark, and the lack of second-year guarantees sealed the impasse.

Porter Felt “Disrespected”

Speaking to reporters for the first time as a Cowboy, Porter did not hide his feelings about how negotiations unfolded in Pittsburgh.

“It was a hard process, a lot of ups and downs,” Porter said. “Definitely felt disrespected and undervalued. But that’s old news now. I’m onto new beginnings and new chapters” .

When asked specifically if he felt disrespected, Porter was unequivocal: “Definitely, definitely” .

The cornerback said the Cowboys showed him the value he felt was missing in Pittsburgh.

“It was the value. I didn’t feel like it was really that over there,” Porter said. “Dallas is showing me that they value me more over here. That’s really all I need to show what I can do” .

What the Cowboys Inherit

Porter will play out the 2026 season on his existing rookie contract, which carries a $3.92 million base salary. The Cowboys inherited approximately $3.052 million of that balance and do not plan to sign him to an extension during the season .

Despite that, Porter said he is willing to bet on himself in Dallas — something he was unwilling to do in Pittsburgh.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was noncommittal when asked about a long-term extension Friday.

“Yes, the answer’s yes, and I really don’t need to embellish that,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan. “On the other hand, by the very nature of the trade, we’re working under an existing contract… there’s two to tango here” .

The Trade Aftermath

The Steelers ultimately accepted what sources described as their “only serious trade offer” — a future second-round pick as the centerpiece of the deal . The Cowboys beat out the Detroit Lions for Porter’s services .

Porter, who sat out the first three games of the season with what the team listed as back and condition issues, is now healthy and expected to play Sunday against the Houston Texans .

For the Steelers, the trade signals a willingness to move on from a player they drafted and developed into a lockdown corner. For Porter, it represents a fresh start — and a chance to prove that his self-valuation was justified all along.

As one source close to the negotiations put it, the Steelers held firm on a philosophy that has served them for years. But in this case, that philosophy cost them their best cornerback.