Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and outside linebacker Nick Herbig held out of individual drills during mandatory minicamp despite being in uniform. Both players are entering the final year of their rookie deals and seeking extensions, creating contract uncertainty as training camp approaches.

Porter, a consistent starter since being drafted in 2023, has recorded an interception each season and posted a career-high 14 passes defensed last season. He believes he deserves elite corner compensation. Herbig, part of a deep pass rush with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, has 11 starts in three seasons but recorded a career-high 7.5 sacks in 2025.

Coach Mike McCarthy understands the business realities, noting "business is business." While teammates in similar situations participated, Herbig said, "I'm a Steeler. There's no starters and backups." The Steelers must resolve these contract situations before the season begins to maintain roster stability.