COWBOYS TRADE FOR STEELERS CORNERBACK JOEY PORTER JR

The Dallas Cowboys have agreed a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers for cornerback Joey Porter Jr, according to a report by journalist Jordan Schultz. ESPN reported that Dallas will send Pittsburgh a 2028 second-round draft pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick as part of the deal. Porter has not played a snap this season, having been placed on the Steelers' physically unable to perform list with a back injury. Dallas owner Jerry Jones said on his Tuesday radio show that the Cowboys were monitoring the trade market for defensive reinforcements following a Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. "We're very aware of the moving parts out here," Jones said, adding that communication "at my level, at Stephen's level, and the scout's level" had been important.

Porter is entering the final year of his rookie contract and spent the offseason negotiating a new deal with Pittsburgh, but the two sides did not reach agreement before the team's internal deadline at the start of the season. Some around the league have suggested his contract situation, alongside the back injury, contributed to his absence this year. Pittsburgh selected Porter out of Penn State in the second round of the 2023 draft. He has made 47 career appearances with 41 starts, recording 165 tackles, 31 pass breakups and three interceptions. Last season he played 14 games, registering 52 tackles, one sack, one interception and 14 passes defended.

The trade addresses a Cowboys secondary that has been short-handed this season, with Cobie Durant and Shavon Revel both dealing with injuries. Porter is expected to compete for the role of Dallas's number one cornerback. CBS Sports reported that the Cowboys will now need to negotiate a contract extension with Porter following the trade.