The Case for Paying Joey Porter Jr. Among the NFL’s Best at His Position
- Kelly Anozie
- 20 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is about to reset the market for all cornerbacks in the NFL.
According to several reports yesterday, notably ESPN’s Ian Rapoport, Witherspoon was offered a contract upwards of $30 million per year — potentially surpassing Los Angeles Rams corner Trent McDuffie, who signed a four‑year, $124 million contract in March ($31 million per year). While both cornerbacks’ body of work is worthy of this type of money, New England’s Christian Gonzalez included, there is one other cornerback from the 2023 Draft class whose performance may fetch a similar contract: Joey Porter Jr.
One could argue that he does not belong in the same category as the aforementioned corners, as Porter Jr. has yet to make a Pro Bowl, let alone an All‑Pro team. Yet his numbers tell a very different story, notably his performance this past season, in which one can assert that he deserved some measure of All‑Pro recognition. If we look solely at career completion percentage and passer rating allowed, Porter Jr.’s numbers easily measure up to his contemporaries:
Cornerback | Year | Completion % Allowed | Passer Rating Allowed |
Joey Porter Jr. | 2023 | 47.6 | 70.1 |
Joey Porter Jr. | 2024 | 62.8 | 82.7 |
Joey Porter Jr. | 2025 | 48.5 | 57.2 |
Devon Witherspoon | 2023 | 58.3 | 87.9 |
Devon Witherspoon | 2024 | 70.5 | 106.9 |
Devon Witherspoon | 2025 | 69.5 | 90.7 |
Trent McDuffie | 2023 | 65.8 | 94.4 |
Trent McDuffie | 2024 | 60.0 | 82.9 |
Trent McDuffie | 2025 | 63.3 | 95.5 |
Christian Gonzalez | 2023 | 68.8 | 86.1 |
Christian Gonzalez | 2024 | 55.7 | 71.7 |
Christian Gonzalez | 2025 | 53.6 | 79.9 |
Porter Jr.’s 2025 season further strengthens his case, particularly in an area critics often highlight: penalties.
Despite playing an aggressive, press‑heavy style that inherently invites contact, he committed only six penalties throughout the year — a notable improvement and a reflection of his growth in technique and discipline. His ability to maintain tight coverage without drawing flags not only elevated his overall efficiency but also demonstrated that the concerns about his physical play have been overstated. When paired with his elite completion percentage and passer rating allowed, his reduced penalty count underscores how complete his game became in 2025.
The Steelers’ decision not to extend Porter Jr. earlier in the 2026 offseason now appears shortsighted, especially as the cornerback market continues to surge. With players like Witherspoon resetting the financial landscape for top‑tier corners, Pittsburgh is now positioned to pay significantly more to retain a player whose production is on par with his contempories.
Porter Jr.’s statistical profile, combined with his upward trajectory and improved discipline, places him firmly among the league’s elite at the position. As a result, the Steelers may be forced to break the bank to keep him, paying a premium they could have avoided had they acted sooner.