NFL insiders report the Pittsburgh Steelers have received trade inquiries for disgruntled cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from teams including the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys. Porter, who enters the final year of his rookie deal amid a contract dispute, missed the start of the season due to a back injury.
Contract Impasse and Sidelined Status
The relationship between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Joey Porter Jr. has reached a significant standoff as the cornerback enters the final year of his rookie contract. Steelers leadership previously indicated that the Steelers are done talking about an extension and will not hold further discussions on a new deal. Further pointing towards the possibility of a trade, Dulac relayed from team sources today that the Steelers are done talking
about a contract extension with Porter and will not have further discussions about a new deal.
Having dealt with a back problem during training camp that placed him on the PUP list, Porter was cleared ahead of the regular-season kickoff yet remained sidelined for the initial two matches. At 26 years of age, Porter spent the vast majority of training camp on the active/PUP list due to what was ostensibly the identical back ailment sidelining him for the Steelers’ Week 1 encounter against Atlanta. While some observers viewed the absence as a disguised hold-in stemming from the unresolved financial negotiations, Porter maintained that his time away from the field resulted directly from physical injury rather than a contract dispute.
It didn't get done, it didn't happen,
Porter said this week. That's really just old news for me now. It's mainly just focus on what I've got ahead of me and just really getting back to 100%.
Trade Inquiries From Dallas and Detroit
League insiders report that rival franchises have wasted little time exploring a potential deal for the physical defensive back. According to ESPN, the Detroit Lions are one of a handful of teams
that have made inquiries about trading for cornerback Joey Porter Jr. Meanwhile, The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero was a guest on The Rich Eisen Show
on Thursday and floated the Cowboys as a possible trade suitor for Joey Porter Jr.
Highlighting the high level of trade interest surrounding the defensive back, analyst Pelissero remarked, We still have no idea when or if he's gonna play for the Steelers again,
and supplemented, I would certainly tell you, Omar Khan's phone has been ringing about this. There would be trade interest.
Pelissero additionally noted, There would be some obvious teams that could use an upgrade,
and inquired, Could the Cowboys go out and swing a trade for Joey Porter Jr.?
While Adam Schefter’s report fails to specify the exact nature of Detroit’s communication or whether any official bids have been submitted, it explicitly names the Lions and the Dallas Cowboys while suggesting additional franchises have reached out.
Team Needs in the NFC North and Beyond
Porter is also stylistically a very good fit for Detroit. Exhibiting a strong, man-to-man defensive approach, he boasts the 6-foot-2 frame necessary to execute it effectively. He’s also a bit handsy, tallying 38 penalties in his career. Across his prior three campaigns, Porter accumulated 31 total passes defended alongside three interceptions, ultimately concluding the 2025 season with a commendable 70.1 overall PFF mark complemented by a 76.6 coverage grade. Data from PFF indicates that Porter surrendered a mere 55.9 passer rating last season, conceding 32 receptions out of 67 targets for 325 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. His career passing allowed, per PFF, is just 71.5.
Earlier this season, Lions coach Dan Campbell was asked if the team’s recent clearing of cap space via restructures was done in preparation of the team making a big move, and he responded by noting that any sort of huge transaction was unlikely. I don't see that,
Campbell said two weeks ago. I would say this, though: it gives us options, whether that be our own guys or—it just gives us flexibility here before the season starts because there's a lot that can happen.
Throughout the offseason, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones repeatedly emphasized his readiness and enthusiasm to orchestrate a major acquisition to bolster the defense. Naturally, the Cowboys have already taken extensive steps to upgrade the roster this year, but Jones remains unsatisfied, and his eagerness to make a splash will only intensify if Dallas’ defense continues struggling the way it has across the first pair of games this season. Acquiring Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. represents one pathway that could potentially materialize for the Cowboys. Having drafted Porter in the second round three seasons ago, the Steelers would likely find a return consisting of a Day Two selection—potentially carrying some upside—to be a fair valuation.