Late Wednesday night the Steelers and Cowboys agreed to a notable swap: Pittsburgh sent cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to Dallas in return for a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick.
The move followed a breakdown in extension talks over the summer. Porter, entering the final year of his rookie deal, sat out practices during camp and was inactive for Pittsburgh’s first three games; the team also listed him out of Thursday’s game with a back issue just hours before the trade.
For Dallas, assuming he’s healthy, Porter is an immediate upgrade at a starting cornerback spot and should help shore up the back end of a defense that has struggled — ranking 25th in points allowed, last in third-down defense and 21st in red-zone efficiency.
Pittsburgh will turn to veterans Asante Samuel Jr. and Jamel Dean as starters, with rookie Daylen Everette as the next option.
Steelers grade — B-: It’s tough to hand out a higher mark. Pittsburgh arguably could have avoided this distraction by negotiating earlier and more aggressively in the offseason, especially before other corners pushed market salaries higher. The team ultimately chose not to meet Porter’s reported demands, which can be defended — Porter has just three career interceptions in three seasons, is prone to physical play that draws penalties, has missed time with injuries and isn’t a standout tackler. The front office likely asked for more in trade talks, but in the end they secured mid- and future-round draft capital, kept from overpaying, kept a promising rookie depth piece in Everette and removed a growing locker-room issue. Still, on the field they lose a player who made them worse in the short term.
Cowboys grade — C: From Dallas’ perspective, the logic is clear. The team needed help in the secondary and acquired a 26-year-old corner who has shown strong man-coverage ability and should be entering his prime. They also avoided giving up a valuable 2027 pick by instead surrendering a 2028 second-rounder. The downside is salary: Dallas is already carrying significant defensive payroll and is about to add more salary for a player who has not yet been to a Pro Bowl, while other contract matters (like George Pickens) remain unresolved. If Porter becomes a key piece on multiple deep playoff runs, the investment will look smart; if he underperforms relative to his new contract, the move will be another costly gamble for the Cowboys’ front office.
Fan Take: This trade matters because it shifts the balance for two playoff-hopeful teams — one choosing draft capital and stability, the other betting on immediate defensive improvement. For NFL fans, it highlights how contract standoffs can reshape rosters quickly and how teams weigh short-term upgrades against long-term financial and draft considerations.
Source: www.cbssports.com
