Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has been traded by the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Dallas Cowboys for a pair of draft picks, ending a bitter contract impasse that kept him sidelined through the start of the 2026 NFL regular season.
Cowboys Trade For Cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are trading cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick. NFL Network’s Jane Slater reported the transaction Wednesday evening, while The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero first broke the news of the deal. The Cowboys announced the terms of the transaction Thursday morning.
The agreement concludes a months-long dispute between Porter and the Steelers. Entering the final season of his 2023 rookie contract, the 26-year-old cornerback sought a contract extension, but both sides failed to reach terms. Porter spent training camp stationed on the physically unable to perform list with a back injury before being removed on Sunday, August 31, to make the initial 53-man roster. Days later, he signaled he might sit out the year without a new deal. He missed Pittsburgh’s first three games of the season, listed variously with a back injury, conditioning designations, or simply as not injury-related. Earlier Thursday, he had been ruled out for the team’s Thursday night game against the Cleveland Browns.
Porter Leaves Pittsburgh After Contract Clash
Porter was watching a movie at the theater on Wednesday night when the call came in. He pulled an all-nighter to arrive in time for practice with his new team on Thursday.
“Man, I was excited, I’m not even gonna lie. I was actually at the movies when I got the call, so I had to leave the movies and went home, but I am blessed. I am excited. I called my people and they were excited with me. New chapter, new beginnings, and I’m ready.”
Joey Porter Jr., via Patrik Walker of the team website
The Cowboys acquired the cornerback without agreeing to a long-term extension. Porter is in the final year of his rookie contract, which carries a $3.92 million base salary. The Cowboys will inherit the $3.052 million balance, though ESPN’s Todd Archer reports they do not plan to give him an extension during the season.
Speaking about the breakdown in Pittsburgh, Porter did not hold back regarding his former club.
“It was the value, I didn’t feel like it was really that over there. [Dallas] is showing me that they value me more over here. That’s really all I need to show what I can do.”
Joey Porter Jr., via Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram
When asked directly if he felt disrespected and undervalued by the Steelers during negotiations, Porter replied affirmatively, calling it a hard process filled with ups and downs.
Stephen A. Smith Criticizes The Steelers Organization
The trade drew sharp criticism from national media figures. ESPN broadcast personality Stephen A. Smith blasted the Steelers during Thursday morning’s episode of First Take
, arguing that the franchise no longer operates at its historic level.
“There is no question, the Steelers ain’t better because of this. We need to say that. … This organization is still acting like a gold standard that they are far from for many, many years now. It’s really pissing me off,” Smith said. “Sometimes exceptions need to be made when you’re unexceptional, and the Steelers are unexceptional.”
Stephen A. Smith, ESPN broadcaster
The move also carries familial ties. Porter’s father was a four-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion with the Steelers from 1999 to 2011. Meanwhile, Mike McCarthy had previously acknowledged the impasse during the offseason, and general manager Omar Khan maintained a firm stance that no contract negotiations would take place once the regular season began.
Porter Targets Quick Debut For Dallas
While Porter did not play a single snap for Pittsburgh this season, his turnaround in Dallas could be instantaneous. According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, Porter could make his Cowboys debut as early as Sunday’s Week 4 matchup against the Houston Texans. That game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET.
