Steelers Set Sept. 13 Deadline for Joey Porter Jr. Contract Extension

General manager Omar Khan confirmed the Pittsburgh Steelers will not negotiate a new deal for Joey Porter Jr. once the regular season begins on September 13.

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan announced Monday that the organization will maintain its long-standing policy of halting contract negotiations once the regular season begins. This mandate establishes a firm deadline of September 13—the date of Pittsburgh’s Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons—for cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to reach an agreement on a new deal. Porter Jr. is currently entering the final year of his rookie contract following extension talks that Khan described as fruitless thus far.

While Khan declined to discuss specific financial figures or terms publicly, he expressed a desire for the starting cornerback to remain with the franchise long-term. The executive stated, "Joey knows how we feel about him, and I still hope Joey finishes his career here." This update follows Porter Jr.’s activation from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list during Sunday night’s roster cutdown deadline. By moving to the active roster, the cornerback avoided a mandatory four-game absence that would have been required had he remained on the PUP list.

Injury Status and Roster Maneuvers

Joey Porter Jr. originally landed on the PUP list after aggravating a back injury during a mobility workout on the first day of training camp. Although the Steelers' medical staff cleared him for practice, his immediate participation remains uncertain. Khan noted that the team expects anyone deemed healthy to practice over the next two weeks but did not guarantee Porter Jr.’s presence on the field for specific drills.

In contrast to the uncertainty surrounding the cornerback, the Steelers received positive medical reports regarding several other starters. Wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and DK Metcalf, along with safety Jaquan Brisker, are all expected to be available for the season opener against Atlanta. However, veteran safety DeShon Elliott will be sidelined for at least the first four games of the season. The team placed Elliott on injured reserve (IR) during Sunday's roster cutdown, despite having already designated him for an eventual return.

Safety Depth and Practice Squad Updates

DeShon Elliott’s placement on IR is a precautionary measure rather than a response to a new setback. Khan clarified that Elliott, who suffered a serious knee injury one year ago, did not regress in his recovery. The safety participated in the preseason game against the New York Jets, and the front office determined that a stint on IR was the smartest path to ensure he is fully ready for later stages of the season.

To address the void in the secondary, Khan revealed that the Steelers intend to use one of their four available practice squad spots to sign a veteran safety. The team is also evaluating options for the remaining three vacancies. One potential candidate is linebacker Elandon Roberts, who was released following what Khan described as a brief but notable stint during training camp.

Defensive Personnel Decisions

Regarding the surprising release of the hard-hitting Roberts, Khan emphasized that the door remains open for a return via the practice squad. The general manager cited his personal history with the linebacker and his respect for Roberts as both a player and a person. The team currently has four open slots to fill as they finalize the depth chart before traveling to Atlanta.

As the September 13 deadline approaches, the focus remains on whether the front office can bridge the gap with Porter Jr. before the 03:55 PM ET window closes on their traditional negotiating period. Without a signed extension by the Week 1 kickoff, Porter Jr. will play out the final season of his rookie contract under the cloud of impending free agency.