The Pittsburgh Steelers traded Joey Porter Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys late Wednesday night in exchange for a 2028 second-round draft pick and a 2027 sixth-round draft pick, concluding weeks of contract stalemate and a nebulous back injury for the star cornerback.
The trade brings an abrupt end to Porter’s tenure in Pittsburgh, where the 26-year-old cornerback entered the final year of his rookie contract seeking a lucrative new deal in the neighborhood of $30 million a season. Having missed the first three games of the season while dealing with conditioning issues and a back injury, Porter departs a Steelers secondary that has faced mounting scrutiny.
During the offseason, Porter participated in mandatory minicamp and expressed pride in his performance. When asked if he considered himself an elite cornerback and if it was important to be compensated as such, he stated that he felt like an elite guy since entering the league and was happy to get the respect he felt he was owed. Over his career, Porter has started 41 of 47 games, defending 31 passes and intercepting three passes while not allowing a touchdown pass in 2024 or 2025.
While the Steelers completed deals with other members of Porter’s 2023 draft class such as Nick Herbig, Darnell Washington, and Keeanu Benton, talks between Porter’s representatives and general manager Omar Khan stalled. As the season opener neared, Porter noted the difficulty of removing emotions from the situation. His absence stretched from one week due to a back injury into four weeks, culminating when he left practice on Wednesday and the team ruled him out before the trade to Dallas was finalized.
Stephen Jones Confirms Cowboys Lowered Asking Price
Dallas executive vice president Stephen Jones acknowledged that the team’s initial asking price was “a little hefty” before negotiations yielded a manageable return. The Cowboys surrendered a future second-rounder and a late-round pick only after the Steelers dropped their demands, setting up a potential extension decision for a franchise already managing a complex payroll.
“Early on the price was a little hefty for us, then it got to a point where we could deal with it.”
Stephen Jones, Cowboys Executive V.P., via NBC Sports
Jones noted that the front office factored a potential departure into the calculus, anticipating a compensatory pick in 2028 if Porter leaves in free agency after this season that largely offsets losing the original second-rounder. Jerry Jones later confirmed that the franchise is interested in an extension rather than treating Porter as a pure rental piece. Furthermore, Stephen Jones stated during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan that he expects Porter to see playing time against the Houston Texans.
Detroit Lions and Other Suitors Checked In on Trade Talks
Dallas was not alone in pursuing the boundary eraser. Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell confirmed that his front office was very much in on
trade talks for the cornerback as general manager Brad Holmes explored ways to reinforce a struggling secondary.
“Brad was − he’s been on it for a while. And it was – that’s been ongoing ,and everything’s got to align right and the Cowboys did what they wanted to do. But we were very much in on it.”
Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions Head Coach, via Detroit Football Network
Campbell added regarding the ongoing roster evaluation that the team is constantly looking to upgrade every position, stating that if they can find someone who fits and helps with the right value, they will make a move.
Jalen Ramsey and Team Reactions to the Business Decision
Inside the Pittsburgh locker room, veteran teammate Jalen Ramsey pushed back against the narrative that sole blame rested on the departing cornerback. Following a 27-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns, Ramsey emphasized that the organization made its own calculated choice regarding the future.
“The Steelers chose which route they wanted to go, as well. It’s not all on Joey. I know it’s easy for people to wanna be mad at Joey. … But it’s a business decision.”
Jalen Ramsey, Pittsburgh Steelers Cornerback, via Heavy
First-year head coach Mike McCarthy remarked after the defeat against Cleveland that he never truly got the chance to coach Porter. Meanwhile, defensive captain Cam Heyward noted following the short-week contest that tackling execution and sharpness needed improvement.