Cowboys Trade For Porter
Dallas Cowboys Acquire Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. From Pittsburgh Steelers For Draft Picks
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The Dallas Cowboys acquired cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick, adding a physical outside defender to a secondary weakened by injuries and early-season struggles. Porter, 26, has been inactive all season amid a reported back issue and contract dispute; he is in the final year of his rookie deal, and Dallas has not committed to an extension. Pittsburgh moves on from a talented starter after negotiations stalled, gaining draft capital and future flexibility, while Porter’s availability and long-term deal remain uncertain. Detroit and the New York Giants also reportedly explored a trade, but Dallas emerged as the most persistent suitor.
Key Points
1
Dallas had forced just two turnovers, including one interception, through its first three games, while ranking in the bottom 10 in both total and scoring defense.
2
Porter recorded 31 passes defensed and three interceptions across his first three NFL seasons, including a career-high 14 passes defensed in 2025.
3
Dallas made the trade amid further secondary attrition: safety Jalen Thompson was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return, and safety P.J. Locke was already on injured reserve.
4
One possible Cowboys calculation is to use Porter for the season without extending him, then let him leave in free agency; the article says that could bring Dallas a 2028 compensatory third-round pick, effectively making the trade a one-season rental at the cost of moving down from the second to the third round that year.
5
With Porter gone, Pittsburgh’s article identified James Pierre as the Steelers’ likely starting corner opposite Jamel Dean, while noting Pierre had struggled against Cincinnati in Week 3.
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