Hours before their Thursday Night Football matchup with the Cleveland Browns, the Pittsburgh Steelers traded Joey Porter Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys. With the move, both sides are now staring at different depth charts at the cornerback position in the 2026 NFL season. In the end, even after Porter Jr.’s rumors reportedly took a surprising turn, a trade has been completed.
The Steelers’ cornerbacks’ room now includes: Jalen Ramsey, Asante Samuel Jr., Jamel Dean, Daylen Everette, Brandin Echols, Donte Kent, and Daequan Hardy (IR). Considering Porter Jr. was sidelined due to the contract standoff and a back injury, the Steelers’ active room remains the same after Porter Jr.’s trade.
As for the Cowboys, Brian Schottenheimer will now have another option at corner as Joey Porter Jr. joins Cobie Durant, DaRon Bland, Ameer Speed, Caelen Carson, Savon Revel Jr., and Devin Moore (IR).
Why the Cowboys needed Porter Jr.
The Cowboys have had enough headaches brought their way because of their secondary. Though the arrival of rookie Caleb Downs should ease some of the struggles going forward, the perimeter defense still got off to a concerning start in the 2026 NFL season.
Joey Porter Jr. playing for the Steelers.
Moreover, the Cowboys have several injuries in the cornerback room, and even though Porter Jr. arrives in Dallas with health concerns of his own, the team remains confident he may be able to play right away.
Porter Jr. has been sidelined through the first three weeks of the season with a lingering back injury, but reports state there’s a chance he can play in Week 4 against the Houston Texans.
Porter Jr. breaks silence after trade
Even before boarding his flight to the Lone Star State, Porter Jr. already sent a message to his new team, one of his first public statements since the contract dispute began in Pittsburgh.
“Here I come… Dallas,“ Porter Jr. wrote on an Instagram story, along with a blue heart and a screenshot of the football definition of a seat belt, which read, “the opposing receiver is locked up.”
Needless to say, Porter Jr. will have to fill some big shoes right away and show the Cowboys they made the right decision in going after him.
Key takeaways
- Joey Porter Jr. was traded from Pittsburgh to Dallas before Thursday Night Football.
- The Steelers active cornerback room remains unchanged following the trade.
- Dallas hopes the new addition can play in Week 4 against Houston.
