FRISCO, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys are adding depth to a beleaguered secondary by trading for cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The deal, confirmed by two sources familiar with the negotiations, sends a 2027 sixth‑round pick and a 2028 second‑round pick to Pittsburgh.
Porter’s background and recent status
Porter, a 26‑year‑old second‑round selection out of Penn State in the 2023 draft, has missed the past three games for the Steelers while dealing with a back issue and a contract stalemate. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, he was seeking an extension that the Steelers were unwilling to grant.
Cowboys’ defensive needs
The Cowboys have been scrambling to shore up a defense that ranks near the bottom of the league. They sit second‑to‑last in rushing defense and are one of only four teams without an interception this season. A franchise‑worst six picks on defense last year underscores the urgency.
Earlier this week, Dallas placed safety Jalen Thompson on injured reserve with a hamstring designation to return, and safety P.J. Locke remains on IR with a torn plantar fascia. Both players were part of the Cowboys’ offseason effort to retool the secondary.
Recent moves and context
In addition to acquiring Porter, the Cowboys have signed three defensive backs to the practice squad and recently added offensive tackle Broderick Jones and a fourth‑round pick in a separate trade with Pittsburgh.
This is the second notable trade between the two franchises in two years. In 2025, the Steelers sent wide receiver George Pickens to Dallas for draft picks; Pickens subsequently posted a Pro Bowl season with 93 catches for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns.
Impact on the field
Porter was among the NFL’s top 20 in pass breakups over his first three seasons, recording 31. He posted two seasons with double‑digit passes defended. His experience could help a Cowboys defense that finished last in passing defense last season, where DaRon Bland led the team with six passes defended.
Dallas hopes Porter can contribute immediately, especially as the team seeks its first interception of the season. The addition comes as the Cowboys suffered a 34‑31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro, a game that highlighted defensive lapses.
Looking ahead
With a new defensive coordinator, 34‑year‑old Christian Parker, the Cowboys aim to reverse a rough start. The acquisition of Porter signals a commitment to improving the secondary and protecting the team’s investment in its young talent.
Fans will be watching closely to see how quickly Porter integrates into the Cowboys’ scheme and whether his presence can help the team climb out of the defensive cellar.
Original reporting: Fort Worth, TX Sports (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
