Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Vince William s hopes Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. doesn't take the Le'Veon Bell route and sit out games. Bell infamously sat out the entire 2018 season due to a contract dispute.
Porter and the Steelers are in the midst of a contract standoff.
Given Porter's contract situation, the back injury that kept him out all of training camp was always skeptical. Porter returned to practice this week, however.
"I'm just happy to see him back, man. I just hope he stays," Williams said on the Steelers Blitz on Steelers Nation Radio. "I don't want him to pull a Le'Veon Bell situation. I got to live through that, and I hope he doesn't do it, man. I was right there. It doesn't work, Joey. Please, just play. Don't hold in. Just play, brother."
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. during a game against the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 12, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Will Porter be suited up ready to play against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 13?
Porter didn't directly say yes or no to that when questioned by reporters on Tuesday, but it certainly didn't sound promising.
"I don't know," Porter said when asked if he would play without a contract extension. "I got to talk to the guys upstairs and my agents about that."
How much Porter is asking for is another question that has yet to be answered.
Porter has been leaning on his dad, former Steelers outside linebacker Joey Porter Sr., for advice.
"He's been giving me great advice," Porter said. "I can't say too much on what he's been saying to me, but he's been giving me great advice. He's been in my corner my whole life, so I wouldn't think he would steer me in the wrong direction."
Only time will tell if the two sides will be able to strike a deal before Week 1, but the Steelers don't seem to be willing to change their ways for Porter, either.
General manager Omar Khan recently confirmed the team's tradition of not negotiating contracts in-season will remain intact.
"You know, we have the rule that once the season starts, we don't do any contracts and we focus on football," Khan said. "There are still a few weeks left, so we will see how that goes."
Aaron Becker contributed.
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