Cowboys & Steelers Complete Blockbuster Joey Porter Jr. Trade Overnight — Here Are The Details
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Joey Porter Jr. spent the offseason waiting for a contract extension that never arrived. He also dealt with a back issue and missed Pittsburgh’s first three games this season.
The Steelers reportedly offered Porter a contract paying just north of $27 million in 2026. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac reported that Porter rejected it, and the two sides stopped negotiating. General manager Omar Khan also confirmed the team would not negotiate during the season.
Porter sought a new deal after draft classmates Christian Gonzalez and Devon Witherspoon signed record-setting extensions. ESPN’s Dan Graziano suggested Porter wanted $30 million per season, a figure only six cornerbacks earn. Reports say Pittsburgh saw him as a productive starter without a Pro Bowl nod.
Pittsburgh ruled Porter out of Thursday’s game against the Browns with a back injury, but the standoff ended within hours.
Steelers Receive Future Second-Round Pick For Cornerback After Months Of Stalemate
According to ESPN, the Steelers agreed Wednesday night to trade Porter to the Dallas Cowboys. Pittsburgh will receive a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick in return.
Pittsburgh drafted Porter 32nd overall in 2023, and he started 41 of 47 games for the franchise.
The trade marks the third deal between these franchises in 17 months. Dallas sent Pittsburgh a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder for George Pickens in May 2025. The Cowboys then acquired tackle Broderick Jones and a 2027 fourth-rounder in August.
Adam Schefter reported on Thursday that Porter has a chance to debut Sunday against the Texans. He added that Dallas will work to get him ready and needs him with its secondary depleted by injury.
Cowboys Need Porter To Patch A Struggling, Injury-Ravaged Secondary Quickly
Dallas dropped to 1-2 after a dramatic last-second loss to the Ravens in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. The Cowboys also have not recorded an interception this season. First-year coordinator Christian Parker has struggled to get the defense going in his first season.
Cobie Durant is also dealing with a hamstring strain, and he is not expected to face Houston.
Porter, 26, also brings three interceptions and 31 pass breakups to Dallas.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports Dallas will not give Porter an imminent extension.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins reports Porter has not asked for one yet. Mike Florio suggested that the Cowboys could use the franchise tag next offseason to buy time.
Pittsburgh, for its part, now rotates Asante Samuel Jr., Jamel Dean and Daylen Everette at outside cornerback.
