The Dallas Cowboys are willing to give up future first-round picks to land a cornerback who has not played a single snap this season. That is the shocking reality of the latest trade chatter swirling around North Texas. Adam Schefter reported that the Cowboys and Detroit Lions have both made inquiries about Pittsburgh Steelers star Joey Porter Jr. The Steelers are open to listening, but they demand a strong compensation package for their fourth-year star.
Porter is currently sidelined with a back injury. He has been working through a prolonged “ramp up” process to return to action. He is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals after being limited in practice this past week. Even without an extension, Porter told reporters on Thursday he would “definitely” suit up for the Steelers in 2026, though he stayed vague about facing the rival Bengals. The Cowboys know this risk, yet they are still calling the phone.
A Secondary Under Siege
The urgency comes from a battered defensive backfield that needs help right now. A hamstring injury will cause Cobie Durant to miss Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens. Another starter, P.J. Locke, is already on injured reserve. The team even had to elevate practice squad cornerback Reddy Steward just to fill the roster for the upcoming game. Dallas lacks a proven complement capable of matching elite receivers across all four quarters.
Owner Jerry Jones has shown he is not shy about making big moves to fix the roster. He has already traded for George Pickens and Broderick Jones in the last year. Through prior agreements, the front office has also already added Quinnen Williams, Rashan Gary, and Kenny Clark. Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence were selected with first-round picks to construct a new defense. But the secondary remains the soft spot that needs a fix before the window closes.
The Price of Doing Business
Getting Porter will cost Dallas dearly in future assets. Although the Steelers avoid midseason negotiations, he is pursuing a new deal. This creates a tough spot for any team that acquires him. As part of the Quinnen Williams trade, the New York Jets received the higher pick, leaving the Cowboys with the lowest of their first-round selections in the 2027 draft. If they give up their own first-rounder, they will have only three Day 3 picks left to reload their roster with young talent.
Pittsburgh is not the only team interested in the young corner. A trade inquiry from the Detroit Lions might ignite a bidding war. The Lions are also struggling, as they have surrendered the second-most passing yards in the NFL during the first two weeks. They are without injured safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, plus cornerback Avonte Maddox who is out for the season. This competition drives the price higher for Dallas to secure the deal.
The calls have started, but the compensation has not been settled. Jerry Jones suggested he might risk the future to acquire the perfect player. Now the question is whether he is sincere about going all-in this season. More urgency from Dallas to finalize a deal could arise if the defensive backfield performs poorly against Lamar Jackson on Sunday evening.
