Joey Porter has agreed to a five-year, $32 million contract with the Miami Dolphins, making the former second-team All-Pro linebacker the first marquee player to join the club during this free agent period.
Porter agreed to the deal, which pays him $20 million guaranteed, according to a person with knowledge of the discussion who requested anonymity because Porter has not yet passed his physical and the contract may not be signed until Wednesday or Thursday.
Porter spent his first eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who released him last week in a salary-cap move. He would have received $1 million if he was on the Steelers’ roster Tuesday, and was set to make $4 million more for the 2007 season, the final one under his deal with Pittsburgh.
His 60 sacks rank fourth in Steelers’ history, and he only figures to add more star power to a Dolphins defense that already has reigning defensive player of the year Jason Taylor and ranked fourth in the NFL in yards allowed last season.
Porter’s addition is part of what’s becoming a major roster overhaul by the Dolphins, who were 6-10 last season, and new coach Cam Cameron.