Dallas Cowboys Acquire Joey Porter Jr. in Major Trade

The Dallas Cowboys executed a significant midseason trade by acquiring Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. This move was confirmed by the Cowboys on Thursday morning. In exchange for Porter, the Cowboys will send a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick to the Steelers. Tom Pelissero from The Ringer initially reported this development on Wednesday night.

Joey Porter Jr., drafted by the Steelers in 2023 with the 32nd pick, has played with Pittsburgh for the past three seasons. He is the son of former Steelers linebacker Joey Porter Sr. In his 47 games with the Steelers, Porter accumulated 165 tackles, 31 pass breakups, and three interceptions.

Data from Pro Football Reference reveals Porter’s impressive defense last season. He allowed only a 48.5% completion rate and recorded a quarterback rating of 57.2 in coverage. Additionally, Porter achieved his first career sack during a Week 9 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

This season, Porter has not yet participated due to a contract dispute with the Steelers. The team had also excluded him from Thursday’s game against the Cleveland Browns, citing a back injury. Nonetheless, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported a source claimed there was a ‘chance’ for Porter to make his debut with the Cowboys this Sunday against the Houston Texans.

Porter brings his skills to a Dallas defense that has struggled this season. The Cowboys have allowed a completion rate of 72.6% through the first three weeks, the highest in the NFC. The team has also given up 27.3 points per game, resulting in a 1-2 start to their season. Importantly, they remain among the four teams yet to secure an interception.

The Cowboys urgently needed support in the secondary due to injuries. Cornerback Cobie Durant is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Furthermore, Shavon Revel Jr. injured his knee last Sunday in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens after having previously ended his rookie season with a torn ACL.

Porter expressed excitement about the trade through an Instagram story with the caption, ‘Here I come … Dallas.’