Joey Porter Jr. Makes Career Decision After Cowboys Trade

Dallas added a major piece to its defense on Wednesday after landing former Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr.

by Antonio G Losada

Oct 1, 2026

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Joey Porter Jr.

Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Joey Porter Jr. is set to begin the next chapter of his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys after the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to trade the cornerback on Wednesday.

Dallas is sending Pittsburgh a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick for Porter. The move ends a months-long standoff between Porter and the Steelers over his contract.

Porter entered the final season of his rookie deal without receiving the extension he wanted and has yet to play a game this year.

The cornerback reported back pain at the start of training camp and landed on the physically unable to perform list, ultimately missing Pittsburgh’s first three games without playing a snap.

The Cowboys, however, aren’t expected to sign Porter to a long-term extension for now. Dallas plans to let him play out the season on his current contract, which carries a $4.9 million cap hit, and decide on his future at the end of the campaign.

Porter, meanwhile, has already made one career decision following the trade. According to The Athletic’s Jon Machota, Porter is listed with No. 36 on the Cowboys’ roster, a notable change from the No. 24 he wore at Pittsburgh.

The Steelers drafted Porter with the No. 32 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He developed into a starter and finished last season with 52 tackles, 14 passes defensed, one sack, and one interception.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has been traded to the Dallas Cowboys.

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Porter hasn’t allowed a touchdown in regular-season coverage since Week 8 of the 2023 season, according to NFL’s Next Gen Stats.

Last season, Porter allowed a 55.9 passer rating, per PFF, as the primary coverage defender, the third-lowest figure among qualified cornerbacks.

The Cowboys enter Week 4 with a 1-2 record, but it’s still unclear whether or not Porter will make his debut on Sunday. Dallas will visit the Houston Texans at 1 p.m. ET.