AFC North: 2 contract dramas brewing, including a trade rumored for a top defender

Week 1 of the NFL season started a few days ago, but the meat of the schedule kicks off on Sunday. For the Cleveland Browns, big contract discussions are not a part of the talk around the team. While GM Andrew Berry could look to extend a few defensive starters, the Browns young roster is mostly on rookie contracts or, like CB Denzel Ward and S Grant Delpit, already taken care of this offseason.

The same cannot be said around the entire AFC North, a division Cleveland hopes to finally win this season or in the near future, starting with Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson.

Jackson is under contract for this season and next. As of now, the Ravens would owe over $80 million on the salary cap in 2027 if a new deal is not reached. Jackson’s deal includes a no-tag and a no-trade clause, which, along with the huge cap number, gives the quarterback a lot of leverage.

One or both sides is not interested in long-term contract extension talks, it seems:

While Jackson is the big name and the biggest position, his drama could linger into the offseason, while Pittsburgh Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr.’s contract-related issues will impact Week 1 and could lead to a trade:

Porter sat out or was absent for most of the Steelers offseason, with most hinting or directly stating that the back injury is purely contract-related. For his part, Porter reinforced that idea:

Porter was recently asked about his availability for Week 1 and told reporters: “I don’t know. I would have to talk to the guys upstairs and my agents about that one.”

As noted by Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport, the issue between the two sides will likely only be resolved by a trade:

Pittsburgh does not negotiate through the season, and the sides remain far apart on a deal.

The Steelers have been open to listening to offers for Porter, sources said. But there has not been notable interest at Pittsburgh’s asking price of a premium draft pick, possibly in the first round, and no serious trade talks have developed despite the Steelers’ willingness to deal him.

It’ll be interesting to see if injuries and/or Pittsburgh’s asking price coming down could heat up the rumors around a Porter trade.

The Cincinnati Bengals, who often found themselves in contract-related drama, join the Browns in heading into Week 1 on mostly stable footing.

For the Ravens and the Steelers, things couldn’t be more different, however. Baltimore has very little control in the Jackson situation and might be stuck with giving the former MVP everything he wants or trying to find a trade that he approves of. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, can franchise tag Porter and, potentially, fine him if they believe he is healthy. His comment about his agents and the front office could help the Steelers case.

With Cleveland hoping to compete in the AFC North as soon as possible, the big news around the other teams is of note. For now, a couple of interesting contract decisions are worth monitoring.

How do you think the Jackson and Porter situation ends up playing out over time?

Share your predictions in the comment section below