Pittsburgh Steelers trade Joey Porter Jr. to Dallas Cowboys

The Pittsburgh Steelers have traded cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys following a contract standoff. The trade, which occurred after Porter missed several practices due to a back injury, saw Pittsburgh receive a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick in exchange for the player.

Porter, who had established himself as an elite defender, sought a contract extension that reflected his performance. Despite the team reaching agreements with other 2023 draft picks, negotiations with Porter’s representatives and General Manager Omar Khan stalled. The loss of Porter was felt immediately, as the Steelers' secondary struggled in a recent 27-24 loss to Cleveland.

To address the vacancy, analysts suggest the Steelers may target Clemson cornerback Ashton Hampton. Hampton, a highly-rated prospect in the 2027 class, is projected as a potential No. 8 overall pick who could provide the physical size and defensive capability lost with Porter’s departure.