Cowboys acquire Joey Porter Jr. from Steelers for 2028 second-, 2027 sixth-round picks

The Dallas Cowboys have acquired cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick. Dallas announced the terms Thursday morning after NFL Network's Jane Slater reported the trade Wednesday evening.

The deal ends Porter's time in Pittsburgh. He was in the final season of his 2023 rookie contract, and the Steelers and Porter had not reached an agreement on an extension.

#Porter leaves after an unresolved contract situation

Pittsburgh coach Mike McCarthy had described the situation as an impasse during the offseason, and general manager Omar Khan said there would be no in-season negotiations. Porter had been seeking a new deal after three seasons as a regular in the Steelers' lineup.

Porter missed Pittsburgh's first three games. During training camp, he was listed with a back injury and remained on the physically unable to perform list before being activated to the initial 53-man roster on Aug. 31. He later appeared on the practice report as a full or limited participant because of conditioning. He was ruled out for Thursday night's game against Cleveland with a not injury related/conditioning/back designation.

The report establishes both the contract impasse and Porter's absences, but it does not say the extension dispute caused him to miss those games.

#Dallas adds an experienced starter to its secondary

Selected 32nd overall to open the second round of the 2023 draft, Porter made 41 starts in three seasons with the Steelers. He totaled 165 tackles, three interceptions and 31 pass breakups. The source describes him as solid in coverage while noting struggles in the run game at times.

Porter joins a Cowboys defense coordinated by Christian Parker that ranked 30th in total defense at the time of the report. Dallas had started 1-2 and had not recorded an interception. DaRon Bland held one cornerback spot, while Shavon Revel Jr. and Cobie Durant had also earned starts; both missed practice Wednesday.

Dallas also previously acquired former Steelers first-round pick Broderick Jones. Jones had appeared in all three Cowboys games, with one of his 17 snaps coming on offense. The report does not specify Porter's expected role or when he could make his Dallas debut.

#Key takeaways

• Dallas paid a future second-round pick and a future sixth-round pick to add Porter to its secondary.
• Porter will not play for Pittsburgh again after an extension agreement was not reached.
• Readers should not assume immediate availability or a starting role because the report does not provide either.

#Limits and uncertainty

• This draft relies only on the supplied NFL.com report and does not include independent reporting.
• The source does not state when Porter will be available to play for Dallas, whether he will start, or whether he will receive a new contract.
• This brief is limited to facts stated in the original source and does not add independent reporting.

#Sources

NFL.com: Steelers trade CB Joey Porter Jr. to Cowboys in exchange for second-, sixth-round picks (Grant Gordon)