Pittsburgh Steelers trade cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to Dallas Cowboys for 2027 sixth-round, 2028 second-round picks
The Pittsburgh Steelers traded cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 1, 2026. Pittsburgh acquired a sixth-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft and a second-round pick in the 2028 NFL Draft. The Steelers announced the transaction on Steelers.com.
Porter was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He appeared in 47 games and started 41. He recorded 165 tackles, including 120 solo stops, three interceptions, 31 passes defensed and three tackles for loss during his time in Pittsburgh.
Porter was inactive for the Steelers’ first three games of the 2026 season after he spent training camp on the active/physically unable to perform list. He was activated off that list on Aug. 30. In 2025, Porter started all 14 games he appeared in, finishing with 52 tackles (35 solo), one interception and a team-high 14 passes defensed while missing time because of injury.
NFL Sports Blog Take
The Steelers converted a young starter into two future draft assets, including a high-value 2028 second-round selection. Porter produced significant playing time and production from 2023 through 2025 but missed time with injury and began the 2026 season inactive. The move gives Pittsburgh additional capital in consecutive classes and sends a proven cornerback to Dallas.