McCarthy: Steelers at 'impasse' with CB Porter

PITTSBURGH -- Coach Mike McCarthy said the Pittsburgh Steelers are at an "impasse" with Joey Porter Jr. as the cornerback remains sidelined on the physically unable to perform list. Porter Jr., who was placed on PUP after aggravating a back injury during the team's mobility workout on the first day of training camp, is also in line for an extension as he enters the final year of his contract. He was present for some OTAs and mandatory minicamp but didn't participate in drills during the portions open to media. He's also been present at training camp practices, often standing on the sideline with defensive back Jalen Ramsey, who was activated off the PUP list Monday. Asked before Monday's practice about when he would need to see Porter on the field to feel comfortable playing him Week 1, McCarthy began his answer by pointing out the particular challenges of Porter's situation. "I learned this in my early years as a head coach, you have to separate the business and football," McCarthy said. "Sometimes it's easier in others. This is a challenge for both Joey and us because we're first-year staff. We've seen them play, compete against Joey. "I would love the opportunity to coach Joey Porter. I know our defensive guys would love the opportunity. So we're at an impasse right here, and you got to respect that. Every one of us has a contract. The organization, they have beliefs and so forth. But yeah, that's just kind of where we are." Porter, selected by the Steelers with the first pick of the second round in 2023, has been a consistent starter since his rookie season. He's recorded an interception in each of his three years, and in 2025, also picked up a sack, 14 passes defensed and 52 tackles. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said Porter has been "engaged" in the classroom during his stint on PUP, and Graham added that it's his job to get Porter and Ramsey ready for the season. "They're really good football players," Graham said Saturday. "If they go into the regular season, they're going to practice at some point. ... when they get to practice, they get to practice. But that's our job to get them prepared." As an organization, the Steelers have long maintained that they don't negotiate contracts once the regular season starts, beginning with the first game of the season. Yet despite the impending deadline, a source told ESPN that there hasn't been meaningful progress on extension talks. The Steelers also haven't made or received any trade calls on Porter, the source added. Porter, who was one of the few players present at McCarthy's introductory news conference in January, last spoke with the media at minicamp in June and said then that he believed he's been a "lead" corner in the NFL since arriving in Pittsburgh and should be compensated as such. "Definitely," Porter said. "I feel like I was the lead guy since I've been in this league, and I'm happy that I'm getting the respect that I feel like I'm owed."