The Detroit Lions have gone from a speculative fit to a real suitor for Joey Porter Jr. Detroit is one of a handful of teams that have begun making inquiries with the Pittsburgh Steelers about the fourth-year cornerback, league sources told ESPN in a report published Sunday morning, just hours before the Lions host the New York Jets.
The Steelers would be willing to listen, per the report, but they want a strong compensation package in return. Pro Football Talk has heard the price could be as steep as “a first-round pick, or a second-rounder plus a third-rounder.” Porter also wants a new contract, and Pittsburgh doesn’t negotiate deals during the season. Something has to give.
Detroit’s secondary is running on fumes
The Lions have given up the second-most passing yards in the NFL through two weeks. Safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are on the PUP list, cornerback Avonte Maddox is out for the season with a foot injury and the team released Terrion Arnold in June. That leaves D.J. Reed and Rock Ya-Sin as the projected starting cornerbacks against the Jets, with Khalil Dorsey, Roger McCreary and Keith Abney II behind them. Porter would be a massive upgrade over any of them.
There’s a catch on the Pittsburgh end, too. Porter hasn’t played a snap in 2026 as he ramps up from a back injury, and he’s questionable for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals after being limited in practice this week. He said Thursday that he’ll “definitely” play for the Steelers this season even without a new deal, but he wouldn’t commit to facing the Bengals.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell tried to cool the trade talk two weeks ago when asked whether the team’s newly created cap space was earmarked for a big move. “I don’t see that,” Campbell said on Sept. 15. “I would say this, though: it gives us options.” He wasn’t asked about Porter by name, and he couldn’t have answered if he was. Sunday’s report says Detroit is at least exploring those options.
First, the Lions have to get back on track against Aaron Glenn’s Jets at Ford Field at 1 p.m. ET. Then all eyes shift to whether Porter suits up against Cincinnati and whether Pittsburgh’s asking price comes down.
