Recently named as a team to watch as a possible landing spot for Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr., the Lions have inquired on his availability, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Cowboys, who were speculatively connected to a possible Porter pursuit, are also among the clubs to make an inquiry.
Possibly the most-discussed player in the NFL news cycle in recent weeks, Porter is in the final year of his rookie deal and is seeking a lucrative extension. He spent training camp on the active/PUP list with a back injury, though at least one report implied his absence was largely a negotiation tactic. Indeed, a later report suggested Porter was healthy enough to play in Pittsburgh’s season opener.
In light of the stalled negotiations, it is difficult to say how much Porter’s back is genuinely affecting him. On Thursday, the 26-year-old said both his back and his conditioning — since he missed all of training camp, the need for a ramp-up period certainly makes sense — remained obstacles to his full return to the field. He denied reports that he had requested a trade and had sought a second opinion on his back, and he said he would suit up for Pittsburgh as soon as he is healthy enough to do so. He also noted that Thursday represented the first time he had been listed as a full practice participant.
However, he was noncomittal about his ability to play in Week 3 and was later declared inactive for that game, and longtime Steelers beat Mark Kaboly has said the situation is becoming untenable. It is therefore not surprising that trade interest has seemingly intensified, even though Pittsburgh reportedly had neither made nor received serious inquiries as of a week ago.
Earlier rumors notwithstanding, we recently heard the Lions may not be a serious Porter suitor. But they certainly have the need for reinforcements in the secondary thanks to the injury-related absences of Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph and the unexpected release of Terrion Arnold, which was driven by Arnold’s legal situation. Detroit also has plenty of cap space after several recent restructures, though some of that money is earmarked for Branch and tight end Sam LaPorta, and a Porter acquisition would require the surrender of draft capital as well as a pricey extension.
The Cowboys’ strong offensive showing in 2025 was undermined by a poor defense, and the team has actively sought upgrades on that side of the ball. Dallas added Quinnen Williams at the 2025 trade deadline, acquired Rashan Gary via trade in March, and selected Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence in the first round of this year’s draft. But free agent pickup and starting corner Cobie Durant is dealing with a hamstring issue that will sideline him for at least Week 3 (and possibly longer, per ESPN’s Todd Archer), further thinning a cornerback corps that is not particularly strong on paper.
The Steelers reportedly offered Porter a contract worth $27MM/year, which would place him seventh in AAV among his CB peers. But the guarantee structure of Pittsburgh’s proposal is said to be at the root of the impasse between the parties. And given the team’s longstanding policy of shutting down contract talks when the regular season begins, a trade may be the best outcome for Porter.
Schefter says the Steelers remain open to a trade but would require a “strong compensation package” in exchange for Porter. Prior reports had suggested a Day 1 pick was part of Pittsburgh’s ask, although that may not be realistic at this point.
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