You’d think an NFL dad would be thrilled if a starter’s absence handed his son first-team reps, right? Not in Pittsburgh. While Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. remains at a complete “impasse” with the front office over a contract dispute, his decision to sit out practice has handed backup Asante Samuel Jr. a golden opportunity. But instead of enjoying his son’s sudden boost up the depth chart, two-time Super Bowl champion Asante Samuel Sr. is openly worried about something else.

The former Patriots CB knows a thing or two about the rules and regulations of certain teams. Hence, he openly called out Joey Porter, suggesting that he is upsetting the wrong people the wrong way in the franchise.

“I don’t think [Porter is] handling the situation the best way, not going to practice,” Samuel said on the Say What Needs To Be Said podcast. “You’ve gotta know when to read the room and who you’re dealing with. These people seem like they really get offended over there in Pittsburgh. They really are in tune to what’s going on, their players and who their players are, and paying their players. They do things a certain way, they don’t just like to break bread.”

Though Joey Porter Jr. has been present at camp, he’s remained strictly on the sidelines. Officially, he’s been sidelined on the Physically Unable to Perform list since late July with a back injury. But when reporters pressed Head Coach Mike McCarthy about his status on Monday, the injury was quietly swept aside. Instead, McCarthy spoke only of the contract dispute.

“I’ve always — and I learned this in my early years as a head coach — you have to separate the business and football,” McCarthy said. “Sometimes it’s easier than others. This is a challenge for both Joey and us, because we’re a first-year staff. We’ve seen him play, competed against Joey. I would love the opportunity to coach Joey Porter. I know our defensive guys would love the opportunity. We’re at an impasse right here, and you’ve  got to respect that. Every one of us has a contract. The organization, they have beliefs and so forth. But yeah, that’s just kind of where we are.” 

Porter is coming off a good show last season, when he recorded 53 total tackles, one interception, and 14 passes defended. He is a key piece of the Pittsburgh secondary and part of a crew that has already seen players like Nick Herbig and Darnell Washington being offered expensive extensions from the Steelers this year. During training camp, the cornerback said that he deserves to be paid like the league’s best.

“Definitely, I feel like I was an elite guy since I’ve been in this league,” he said during mandatory minicamp. “I’m happy that I’m getting the respect that I feel like I’m owed.”

Porter’s message to the front office is clear. The cornerback market has reached new heights following massive paydays for Seattle’s Devon Witherspoon and New England’s Christian Gonzalez. Porter may not boast eye-popping ball production, holding three interceptions through three seasons, but his lockdown potential puts him right on the verge of that top-tier. 

While Porter stages his “hold-in,” Pittsburgh’s defense got a boost. Monday saw the return of Jalen Ramsey and rookie tackle Max Iheanachor. More importantly, it has opened the door for Asante Samuel Jr. Now 15 months removed from his spinal-fusion surgery, the 26-year-old veteran signed a one-year, $4 million “prove-it” contract with the Steelers. 

“Every year is a prove-it year for everybody in the league,” Samuel said Friday after practice at Saint Vincent College. “You have to prove yourself each and every year. … I’m trying to build off (last year) and just show them how I was before I got injured.” 

Originally slotted as depth behind Porter and Jamel Dean, Samuel’s 50 career starts make him an overqualified fill-in as he snaps up every available first-team rep.

“Whatever opportunity brings itself,” Samuel said of his role. “I’m just trying to stack days and show them that I was a four-year starter, and I’m trying to get back to that. However the team wants me to play, that’s how it’s going to be. I’m going to make plays whenever I’m on the field.”

Mike McCarthy took notice of how Samuel has been present in all the practice sessions, and he is filled with nothing but praise.

McCarthy’s high praise for Samuel

It hasn’t taken long for Asante Samuel Jr. to earn high praise from Mike McCarthy, who highlighted his “extremely physical” play and “off-the-charts” ball skills. 

“I know personally, I’m counting on him,” said McCarthy, highlighting how he coached against his father, Asante Sr. “He’s frankly been one of my favorite players since I arrived here. I just love the way he works.”

His path back to this point makes his current opportunity even sweeter. After starting 47 games in four years for the Chargers, a severe injury derailed his 2024 season. Samuel underwent surgery the following April, endured a grueling seven-month recovery, and joined Pittsburgh late last season, posting 10 tackles and an interception in six games. Now earning first-team reps, Samuel has even weighed in on Porter’s standoff, subtly mirroring his father’s concern over how the roster battle will ultimately play out. 

“Me and Joey played together last year, so we’re rooting for each other,” Samuel said. “I’m rooting for him. I hope everything happens the way he wants it to happen.”

With only days left to go for the Steelers’ season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, we will have to wait and watch who between the team and Joey Porter Jr. blinks first.