Dallas Cowboys Acquire Joey Porter Jr. in Key Midseason Trade

The Dallas Cowboys have made a strategic midseason move by acquiring cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cowboys announced on Thursday morning that they will send a sixth-round pick in 2027 and a second-round pick in 2028 to the Steelers in exchange for Porter Jr. This transaction was initially reported by Tom Pelissero of The Ringer on Wednesday night.

Joey Porter Jr., drafted by the Steelers with the 32nd overall pick in 2023, has been with the team for three seasons. In his time with the Steelers, Porter Jr. compiled impressive stats, including 165 tackles, 31 pass breakups, and three interceptions over 47 games.

According to Pro Football Reference data, Porter Jr. held opposing quarterbacks to a 48.5% completion rate and a 57.2 quarterback rating in coverage last season. He also registered his first career sack in a Week 9 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

This season, Porter Jr. has not played due to contract issues with the Steelers. He had been ruled out for the game against the Cleveland Browns because of a back injury. Nonetheless, Adam Schefter from ESPN reports there is a possibility that the 26-year-old cornerback could make his debut for the Cowboys against the Houston Texans this Sunday.

Porter Jr. joins a Dallas defensive unit that has struggled, allowing an NFC-high completion rate of 72.6% through three games. The team has conceded an average of 27.3 points per game, reflecting their challenging start with a 1-2 record. They are among the four teams yet to record an interception this season.

The Cowboys urgently needed reinforcement in the secondary after Cobie Durant’s hamstring injury and Shavon Revel Jr.’s knee injury, the latter sidelining him after an ACL tear ended his rookie season.

In response to the trade, Porter Jr. shared on Instagram, “Here I come … Dallas.”