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Steelers expect Joey Porter Jr. to play Week 1

9/8/2026

10 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Porter Jr. Uncertain

Coach Mike McCarthy says Steelers expect cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to play in Week 1 versus Atlanta.
GM Omar Khan states the team will not negotiate contract extensions after the regular season begins.
Porter Jr. enters the final year of his rookie deal, set to earn $3.924 million in 2026.
Porter said he will consult agents and is unsure about playing without a new contract.

Summary

Tagovailoa Starts

Tua Tagovailoa was named the Falcons’ Week 1 starter against the Steelers.
He signed a one-year, $1.3 million deal after Miami released him with a $99.2 million dead-cap charge.
Tagovailoa missed the first week of camp because of lower-back stiffness, limiting his practice reps.
In two preseason games he completed 7 of 8 passes for 95 yards but fumbled a snap each time.

History

Historical Context

The NFL’s modern free-agency system began on March 1 1993, when the league allowed players with four accrued seasons to sign anywhere. That change gave clubs like the Atlanta Falcons, now managed by Mike McCarthy and Omar Khan, tools to balance the $188.2 million 2019 salary cap while negotiating rookie deals such as Joey Porter Jr.’s contract.

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Porter Jr. Uncertain

Coach Mike McCarthy says Steelers expect cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to play in Week 1 versus Atlanta.
GM Omar Khan states the team will not negotiate contract extensions after the regular season begins.
Porter Jr. enters the final year of his rookie deal, set to earn $3.924 million in 2026.
Porter said he will consult agents and is unsure about playing without a new contract.

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