Joey Porter Jr. Trade Grades: Cowboys vs Steelers, Who Won?

Joey Porter Jr. Trade Grades: Cowboys vs Steelers, Who Won?

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The Dallas Cowboys made a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers for cornerback Joey Porter Jr. Dallas will send Pittsburgh a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick. ESPN reported the deal late Wednesday night. Dallas later confirmed it on Thursday, October 1, 2026.

Joey Porter Jr. Trade Details

ItemDetails
Cowboys receiveCB Joey Porter Jr. (age 26)
Steelers receive2028 second-round pick, 2027 sixth-round pick
ConditionPorter has to be listed on the Cowboys gameday roster for two games this season for the 2027 pick to go through, according to a source cited by ESPN.
Porter’s 2026 statusHe missed the Steelers first three games due to a back issue and a contract dispute.
Draft backgroundPorter was taken No. 32 overall in 2023. He became a starter in Pittsburgh and held that role for three seasons.

Why the Steelers Traded Porter

The relationship broke down over money. Head coach Mike McCarthy said openly this offseason that the team and Porter were at an impasse, and general manager Omar Khan said there would be no in-season negotiations. Porter then indicated he might not play this year without a new deal. With Porter inactive for three games, Pittsburgh chose to collect draft capital rather than lose him for nothing in free agency.

The trade also has a quirky detail. The 2027 sixth-round pick is the Steelers’ own, which they had earlier sent to Dallas in the George Pickens deal. This is the third trade between the two teams in the past two years.

Why the Cowboys Made the Move

Dallas has a clear need. New defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s unit ranks 30th in total defense, and the Cowboys have allowed the third-most yards in the NFL. They also come off a 34-31 Week 3 loss to the Ravens. Porter is a press corner who gives them a young, proven starter on the outside. Owner Jerry Jones said before the season that he wanted another big trade, and the November deadline leaves room for another one.

Trade Grades

  • Cowboys: C+. The need is real, but a second-round pick is a steep price for a cornerback who has not played this season and is in the final year of his contract. It would be unusual to trade for a player in that situation without giving him an extension, and Porter’s leverage rises after Dallas paid this much.
  • Steelers: B+. Pittsburgh got a valuable second-rounder from a team that needed the player, ended a monthslong distraction, and still has Asante Samuel Jr., Jamel Dean and Daylen Everette on the outside. The cost is losing a homegrown starter.

These grades are our opinion. CBS Sports also leans toward the Steelers winning the deal, while the Cowboys argue the upside of a young cornerback is worth the price.

Will Porter Play for the Cowboys on Sunday?

Dallas faces the Houston Texans on Sunday, October 4, at 1:00 PM ET. CBS Sports reports there is a chance Porter makes his debut, and the Cowboys are working to get him ready. Houston is 0-3 but is about a 60% favorite in the matchup. If Porter is in the lineup, he will be thrown into a secondary that needs help right away.

Joey Porter Jr. Trade FAQ

What did the Cowboys give up for Joey Porter Jr.?

A 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick.

Why was Porter not playing for the Steelers?

He missed the first three games with a back issue while also in a contract standoff.

Is Porter’s contract expiring?

Reports indicate he is in the final year of his deal and wants an extension, so his next contract is the key question for Dallas.

Who plays tonight for Pittsburgh?

The Steelers visit the Browns on Thursday Night Football at 8:15 PM ET.

For more NFL coverage, read our Nick Bosa injury update. Full details of the deal are in ESPN’s report and NFL.com’s coverage.

Your take: Did the Cowboys overpay, or is Porter worth a second-round pick? Vote in the comments with your grade.

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