Cowboys Land Joey Porter Jr. in High-Stakes Cornerback Deal

The Dallas Cowboys have made their move for cornerback help. The club announced Thursday that it is acquiring Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers, sending a 2027 sixth-round selection and a 2028 second-rounder back to Pittsburgh. The deal was reported late Wednesday, then confirmed by Dallas and the NFL the following morning.

Porter, 26, has started 41 of his 47 NFL appearances since Pittsburgh selected him in the second round in 2023. He has recorded 165 tackles, 31 pass breakups and three interceptions. The Cowboys’ team report says he allowed no touchdown catches on 66 targets last season, with one interception.

Dallas is paying for a present-tense problem

The timing explains the price. Dallas began the season 1–2, and its cornerback rotation has been dealing with injuries to Cobie Durant and Shavon Revel. Porter gives the defense a starting-caliber outside corner if he is healthy and ready to contribute. Dallas has not promised an immediate debut; its report says the timing depends on his arrival and the team’s evaluation of his condition.

Porter has not appeared in Pittsburgh’s first three games. The Steelers listed him with a back issue and later a conditioning/back designation. He is also entering the final year of his rookie contract after the two sides did not reach an extension this offseason. That leaves Dallas with a short window to get him on the field and decide what comes next.

For Pittsburgh, the trade closes a stalled contract situation and adds draft capital. For Dallas, it is another notable exchange with the Steelers: the clubs have also made deals involving George Pickens and offensive lineman Broderick Jones since 2025.

Kris’s Take

A second-round pick for a corner who has yet to play this season is a real gamble, especially when Dallas is 1–2 and Porter’s contract clock is already ticking. But the Cowboys did not need another long-term project; they needed a credible answer on the outside while their defense is giving up ground. If Porter is healthy, this is the kind of aggressive move that can stabilize a weakness quickly. If he is not ready soon, Dallas will have spent premium future capital on a name instead of a fix. The next few weeks will tell us which one it bought.

Sources

This original Kris Rally report is based on the Dallas Cowboys’ transaction report, the NFL’s report, and Reuters’ coverage.