The Dallas Cowboys are set to acquire cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a 2027 sixth round pick and a 2028 second rounder.
The deal marks the end of a contentious contract standoff between the DB and Pittsburgh as the two sides couldn’t come to terms on an extension. Reports indicated that Porter’s camp wasn’t happy with the guaranteed money figures in the Steelers offers, and when the regular season kicked off, Pittsburgh shelved negotiations.
The former second round pick has also been dealing with a back issue which has kept him out of games to date. However, Dallas has indicated that there is a chance he makes his 2026 debut against Houston this weekend. He’s logged a series of “limited” practices over the last week, indicating that his return is currently close.
Over the last three seasons, Porter has appeared in 47 games (41 starts) for the Steelers, recording 3 interceptions, 31 passes defended, and 165 tackles. With the former Penn State standout now out of the picture, the club will continue to use a committee of Asante Samuel Jr., Jamel Dean, and Daylen Everette in their secondary.
Dallas’ need for help at cornerback was exacerbated on the weekend after Shavon Revel injured his knee against the Baltimore Ravens. Revel was already playing as a replacement for Cobie Durant who had been dealing with an injured hamstring. The club was also forced into using Reddy Stewart, a practice squad call-up, to play the slot corner role due to injuries as well.
The deal seems to follow a familiar pattern between the two historic clubs, as the Porter swap marks the 3rd deal in the last two years between the Cowboys and Steelers. Prior to this, Dallas traded for tackle Broderick Jones and wide receiver George Pickens in a pair of “picks for players” trades.
Dallas will now turn their attention to their 1pm ET in-state showdown against the Texans, while Pittsburgh has the Thursday night game this week against the Cleveland Browns.
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