Pittsburgh
Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a familiar position with contract disputes as cornerback Joey Porter Jr. returns to practice, but his Week 1 status remains uncertain. Porter Jr., who missed training camp on the PUP list with a back injury, was activated Sunday and participated in practice Tuesday. However, the star defender has not shied away from voicing his displeasure regarding his contract situation, especially after other 2023 draft classmates secured significant extensions. With veteran cornerback market resets like Devon Witherspoon's deal averaging $33 million per year, Porter Jr. is looking for a commensurate payday. When asked about playing in the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons on September 13th, Porter Jr. offered an ambiguous "for sure... maybe," indicating a lingering dissatisfaction. Head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed Porter Jr. is still "ramping up" and that the team will monitor his progress. The Steelers maintain a strict policy of not negotiating contracts once the regular season begins, a stance General Manager Omar Khan reiterated, though he also expressed hope for a long-term commitment. Teammate Jalen Ramsey has publicly supported Porter Jr., emphasizing his value to the secondary. In another roster move, veteran linebacker Elandon Roberts was unexpectedly released on cutdown day. Coach McCarthy cited special teams contributions as a key factor in final roster decisions, an area where Roberts saw limited preseason action despite being a late-season addition. Roberts expressed shock at his departure, and while no immediate reunion is planned, Khan did not rule out the possibility of Roberts returning later. The Steelers are keeping four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster, including Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Drew Allar, signaling a commitment to depth as they navigate the post-Rodgers era. This decision likely contributed to roster crunch elsewhere, including Roberts' release.