All articles tagged with #nfl contracts
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has moved past his failed contract extension negotiations, stating the impasse is 'old news.' He remains sidelined by a persistent back injury and poor conditioning but confirmed he will play this season, though he offered no specific return timeline. The Steelers (1-1) face the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday without him.
Joey Porter Jr. has publicly stated he will play for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026 despite failing to secure a contract extension. The cornerback, who missed the first two games due to a back injury, completed a full practice on Thursday and confirmed he is moving past the failed negotiations. While the Steelers' official injury reports have been inconsistent, Porter is expected to return to the lineup, potentially in a limited capacity, for the upcoming game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
DK Metcalf’s four-year, $132 million extension with the Steelers hasn’t paid off through 17 games, producing 67 catches for 917 yards and six TDs while ranking near the bottom in EPA per target and separation; his average depth of target is 7.21 yards (121st), and at about $29,000 per yard he’s been costly, with a potential $49 million dead-cap hit if cut—fueling debate that this is one of the NFL’s worst contracts.
Breer argues Kenneth Walker III’s three-year, $43.05 million Chiefs deal looks like savvy value after his 173-yard, multi-score debut, underscoring how running backs’ contracts can still yield big upside when paired with performance. The notes also highlight Seattle’s quarterback-room depth with Geno Smith and Drew Lock, Eagles’ Landon Dickerson injury concerns, Texans’ offensive-line worries despite CJ Stroud’s solid play, and the Jets’ efficient opener under Frank Reich, along with a few Week 2 developments and a Bills–Lions Thursday Night Football preview.
New England locked up star corner Christian Gonzalez with a four-year, $135 million extension that pays about $33.75 million per year and includes early guarantees ($53.928 million) and no per‑game roster bonuses in the first two years, representing a strategic win for both sides as Gonzalez lands on the high end of the cornerback market while the Pats set a path for other deals; Breer also notes potential extensions for other top corners, quarterback situations around the league, and notable roster moves ahead of Week 1.
Baker Mayfield’s $165 million extension in Tampa Bay, reshaping quarterback value, sets the benchmark for Seattle as it faces locking up Sam Darnold; if he performs well and Seattle contends, Darnold’s next deal could exceed $50 million per year, potentially climbing higher with another Super Bowl run in sight.
The Buccaneers signed Baker Mayfield to a three-year, $165 million extension (about $55M per year), elevating him into the top tier of paid QBs and effectively ending the NFL’s “middle-class” quarterback market. The move could influence other deals (e.g., Geno Smith, Sam Darnold), push teams toward pricier veteran or rookie contracts, and reshape quarterback economics in the near term.
With the season opener near, the Patriots and Christian Gonzalez remain far apart on a new deal, with insiders saying talks are nowhere and a last‑second push possible but unlikely to close the gap. Gonzalez is seeking top-market pay for a cornerback, potentially matching Devon Witherspoon’s four‑year, $132 million deal, while the team has signaled support but hasn’t closed the distance; one insider believes a deal will eventually get done.
Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez dodged questions about a potential trade amid ongoing contract negotiations, saying he’s focused on today. He’s under a fifth-year option through 2027 with a $4.8M cap hit and $2.3M base salary, while owner Robert Kraft has made an offer to become the highest-paid cornerback as market values rise; Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said there’s no timetable to resolve the deal and expects players to play if healthy and under contract, a factor that could impact Week 1’s game plan against the Seattle Seahawks.
Devon Witherspoon’s $132 million extension has reset the cornerback market, leaving the Patriots negotiating with Christian Gonzalez over cash-flow, guarantees, vesting schedules, and per-game roster bonuses. The team is weighing a structure similar to Gardner/Surtain/Stingley while managing durability concerns and the market shift, with a resolution unlikely before the season opener.
Steelers insider Mark Kaboly predicts Joey Porter Jr. will sign a five-year extension close to $30M average annual value, with about $60M guaranteed (likely first two years fully guaranteed). The structure would add four years’ worth of new money to the end of his rookie deal, mirroring how Pittsburgh has handled other key extensions and following a pattern seen with players like Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Heyward. A deal is expected before Sept. 13 as the team strives to draft, develop, and retain talent.
The Patriots’ ongoing talks with cornerback Christian Gonzalez could influence quarterback Drake Maye’s upcoming extension, as Maye deflects questions about his own deal and focuses on playing. Gonzalez’s push for top-market terms and the resulting cap implications may force the team to balance salaries across premium positions, potentially shaping how they approach Maye’s contract next year and other high‑priced players.
Bijan Robinson signs a three-year extension averaging about $22.25 million per season, making him the NFL's highest-paid running back and potentially speeding up a new contract for Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who has been in a hold-in while awaiting terms. Gibbs, a three-time Pro Bowler with 1,200+ rushing yards in each of his first three seasons, has missed practice as talks continue, with Lions coach Dan Campbell noting the deal could come together in time as other backs rotate in camp.
Bijan Robinson's new-money APY of $22.25M establishes the benchmark for elite RB pay; Jahmyr Gibbs would need a five-year, about $92.476M contract to hit $25M per year, and if he signs Robinson's terms he'd still be about $2.4M behind in new money over five years, highlighting how running backs continue to chase far larger deals.
Denzel Ward signed a two-year, $62.2 million extension with the Browns, averaging just over $31 million per year and making him the highest-paid cornerback for now. The deal tightens the CB market and raises the price tag for Joey Porter Jr. as the Steelers pursue an extension, with Porter on the PUP list and chatter that Gonzalez and Witherspoon should top Ward’s figure in future deals.