The Steelers and Cowboys are finalizing a deal that will send Joey Porter Jr. to Dallas, NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported late Wednesday night.
The deal comes after the Steelers failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension with Porter, who is in the final year of his rookie deal, and will see Pittsburgh receive a 2027 sixth-round pick and 2028 second-rounder in exchange for the cornerback.
Porter hasn’t played this season for the Steelers and didn’t take part in training camp while contract talks took place.
The Cowboys initially inquired about Porter several weeks back and talks picked up in recent days, Pelissero reported.
Speaking with 105.3 The Fan, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones addressed the idea of adding a defensive player, though he did not mention Porter by name.
“I’ll just say we’re right on top of it. We’re very aware of the moving parts out here. We should be, and communication is a big part of that. Communication at all levels — at my level, at Stephen [Jones’] level, at the scouts’ level. We all have contacts,” Jones said. “This is a time when you really can have discussions and they can be productive.”
Porter was taken by the Steelers with the 32nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and in his three seasons since, he has 165 tackles, three interceptions and 31 passes defended.
During the 2025 season, he finished with 52 tackles, a sack, an interception and 14 passes defended in 14 games.
Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters in late August that Porter’s camp and the organization were at an “impasse” regarding contract talks and they couldn’t come up with a deal before the start of the season.
The trade should help address a need on defense for the Cowboys, who are allowing 27.3 points per game and are ranked 25th in the NFL. They have struggled so far this season, while starting 1-2.
