Steelers Trade Joey Porter Jr. to Cowboys After Contract Standoff
Update: Pittsburgh traded Porter to Dallas on Oct. 1 for a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick. He never played a snap for the Steelers this season.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is unlikely to play in Sunday's opener against Atlanta because of a back injury, ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported, with his contract situation unresolved after talks ran up to the day before the season without a deal.
Where do the contract talks stand?
Porter has been seeking a deal in the range of $30 million a year, in line with recent cornerback extensions for Trent McDuffie, Denzel Ward, Devon Witherspoon and Christian Gonzalez, while Pittsburgh's offer was reported to be well below that. The Steelers don't negotiate during the regular season, and they extended Nick Herbig, Keeanu Benton and Broderick Washington this summer instead. Asked whether the standoff changed his long-term view of Pittsburgh, Porter said, "No, I don't think so."
Could he be traded?
It remains possible. Porter previously requested a trade and is reported to be open to playing elsewhere, and the Steelers are willing to listen but are asking for a premium pick, possibly a first-rounder. No serious talks had materialized at that price. Asante Samuel Jr. is expected to take on a larger role Sunday in Porter's absence.
What happened in Week 2 practice?
Porter had been medically cleared from the back injury he aggravated on the first day of camp, then went through stretching and at least one individual drill Thursday before walking off with an athletic trainer. The back reappeared on the injury report. "I thought Joey had a good day yesterday. He did everything that he was scheduled to do, so hopefully we can make some progress today," McCarthy said before the session. Linebacker Patrick Queen backed his teammate: "I'm with Joe, whatever he's doing, whether it's injury, whether it's contract, whatever it is, I respect it." The Steelers can still use the franchise tag to keep Porter from free agency in 2027.
Is he playing in Week 2?
No. Pittsburgh ruled him out on Friday along with receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who has a foot injury.
How did it end?
With a trade. The Steelers sent Porter to the Cowboys for a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth, with no extension attached. He was inactive for all three games with the back injury, and rookie Daylen Everette has started in his place.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: Sources: Joey Porter Jr. unlikely to play amid uncertain Steelers future
- ESPN: Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. leaves practice early with trainer
- ESPN: Steelers rule out WR Pittman Jr. vs. Patriots with foot injury
- ESPN: Why Steelers traded Joey Porter Jr. to Cowboys, what's next?
Pittsburgh Steelers betting odds
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