By admin 
The Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL saw the first domino fall in the 2023 NFL Draft class cornerback contract race. Seattle Seahawks star Devon Witherspoon signed a four-year, $132 million extension that set a new record for average annual salary at the position. He got his deal before New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez and Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. It was only a matter of time before one of these three got paid. Now, Witherspoon’s contract could drive the price of the next two up.
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Make no mistake, the Steelers want to retain Porter long term. He played at an All-Pro level last season and continues to develop into a cornerstone of the defense. However, Porter is not going to take a hometown discount, if that wasn’t clear already. He expects to be paid like a top NFL cornerback, understandably.
After Keeanu Benton received his contract extension this weekend, perhaps the Steelers will look toward next offseason to get a deal done. Porter could receive the franchise tag, which would buy the team additional time. However, if Gonzalez lands a bigger payday than Witherspoon, coupled with another All-Pro-caliber season from Porter, the cost could rise significantly.
Will Porter or Gonzalez get the next big payday?
Witherspoon getting the first major contract among these three corners gives Porter and Gonzalez a new benchmark. His $33 million annual average could become the starting point for the next negotiations rather than the ceiling. The longer Porter and Gonzalez wait, the more leverage their representatives will have.
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Whoever signs second could potentially reset the market, while the player who waits until last could have the strongest negotiating position. If Gonzalez signs for more than Witherspoon, Porter could benefit from that deal as well. The question is whether the Steelers will move quickly enough to avoid paying an even higher price.
Porter and Steelers must meet Omar Khan’s deadline
Steelers general manager Omar Khan has made it clear that the team wants to establish a deadline before regular-season play begins. Once Week 1 arrives, contract discussions will be tabled and the focus will shift to football.
If Porter and the Steelers cannot reach an agreement before the deadline, the franchise tag could become the team’s most realistic path to keeping him beyond the 2026 season. With the cornerback market moving quickly, waiting could prove expensive. The market could change again before then.
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This story was originally published August 16, 2026 at 9:56 AM.