The Dallas Cowboys made a major midseason trade, finalizing a deal for Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
The Cowboys confirmed Thursday morning that they will give the Steelers a 2027 sixth-round pick and 2028 second-round pick for Porter. The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero first reported the move on Wednesday night.
Porter spent the last three seasons with the Steelers, who drafted him with the No. 32 pick in 2023. The son of former Steelers linebacker Joey Porter Sr. recorded 165 tackles, 31 pass breakups, and three interceptions in 47 games.
According to Pro Football Reference, Porter Jr. allowed a 48.5% completion rate and a 57.2 quarterback rating in coverage last season. He also recorded his first career sack in a Week 9 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Porter has yet to play this season amid a contract standoff with the Steelers, who had already ruled him out for Thursday’s game against the Cleveland Browns with a back injury. However, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter there’s a “chance” the 26-year-old can make his Cowboys debut this Sunday against the Houston Texans.
Porter joins a Dallas defense that’s allowed an NFC-high 72.6% completion rate through three weeks. The Cowboys have allowed 27.3 points per game during a 1-2 start and are one of four teams yet to intercept a pass.
Dallas needed secondary help with a hamstring injury sidelining cornerback Cobie Durant. Shavon Revel Jr., whose rookie campaign ended with a torn ACL, injured his other knee in last Sunday’s international loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Porter responded to the trade in an Instagram story captioned, “Here I come … Dallas.”