Cowboys Acquire Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from Steelers in Trade
Dallas adds defensive talent in exchange for future draft picks as contract talks with Pittsburgh stall.
The Dallas Cowboys have finalized a trade for cornerback Joey Porter Jr., acquiring him from the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round selection. The deal was reported late Wednesday.
Porter has not played this season for the Steelers and did not participate in training camp amid ongoing contract negotiations. The Steelers and Porter's representatives reached an impasse regarding contract talks before the season began, according to Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy.
Talks between the Cowboys and Steelers reportedly picked up in recent days. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones acknowledged the team's awareness of the trade market and potential for productive discussions, though he did not specifically name Porter.
Porter was selected by the Steelers with the 32nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. In his three seasons with the team, he recorded 165 tackles, three interceptions, and 31 passes defended. During the 2025 season, he appeared in 14 games, accumulating 52 tackles, one sack, one interception, and 14 passes defended.
The acquisition of Porter aims to bolster the Cowboys' defense, which has struggled this season. Dallas currently allows an average of 27.3 points per game, ranking 25th in the NFL, and has started the season with a 1-2 record.
