Ian Rapoport tells Steelers fans not to give up hope on Joey Porter deal
The Pittsburgh Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. is the lone cornerback remaining on contract extension island. The New England Patriots signed All-Pro corner Christian Gonzalez to a four-year, $135 million extension early Tuesday. Gonzalez will receive $102 million guaranteed.
Porter Jr. now stands as the last young corner still looking for a new deal before kickoff on Sunday afternoon. NFL Network/ESPN insider Ian Rapoport isn't closing the door on a new deal being completed yet.
I would say, the season has not started yet,'" Rapoport said on The Pat McAfee Show Tuesday. Until the season starts, I will not give up hope that this could get done."
Play begins in five days and marks the unofficial official deadline for negotiations, as the Steelers don't negotiate during the season due to a team policy established in the 1990s. A trade doesn't seem likely, either. That means Porter would make just under $4 million on the last year of his rookie contract and stay with the Steelers.
There's been a lot of trade rumors with Joey Porter Jr.," Rapoport said. I'm not sure at this point whether or not those are going to come to fruition."
NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo reported Tuesday that the Steelers made an offer to Porter, but extension talks remained far from close.
There've been some conversations, but (it) doesn't seem like they are far along contract-wise," Rapoport said. You get Christian Gonzalez done; that's come in as the highest-paid. The more information there is, the more the market is built, the easier it is to get deals done."
In 14 games last year, Porter recorded 52 tackles, 14 passes defended, one sack, and one interception. He didn't allow a touchdown in man coverage and began following the opponent's top receiver more often later in the season.
The Steelers listed their starting cornerbacks as Joey Porter Jr. OR Asante Samuel Jr. in their updated depth chart on Tuesday, opposite Jamel Dean. It feels like a clear message to Porter Jr. to suit up and play against the Falcons and get the contract negotiations all sorted.
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