Trade rumors are really starting to heat up around Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. The fourth-year cornerback is seeking a new contract before the regular season, and NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported the Steelers have yet to even make him an offer. Could the Dallas Cowboys benefit from the situation? CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo definitely sees that as a possibility.
DeArdo named six potential trade destinations for Porter to begin this week. The Cowboys topped the list.
“Dallas makes sense on several fronts, starting with the fact that Porter would complement what the Cowboys already have in the secondary. Porter could serve as a mentor of sorts for first-round pick Caleb Downs,” wrote DeArdo.
“The Cowboys, who have been in spending mode since trading Micah Parsonslast summer, have a considerable amount of cap space and could make a move to acquire Porter if they were inclined to do so. Making this even more logical is the fact that Jerry Jones and Steelers GM Omar Khan have a history of working out significant trades.
DeArdo also argued the age of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and the team’s lack of playoff success over the past three decades could raise Dallas’ motivation to make a deal.
“Speaking of Jones, the Cowboys’ 83-year-old owner is desperate to end Dallas’ championship drought, which is now at 31 years. That, coupled with the fact that Jones loves making splashy trades, makes this scenario even more logical.”
Porter started 41 games in the first three seasons of his NFL career. He has posted 165 combined tackles, including three for loss, 31 pass defenses and three interceptions in 47 contests overall.
Cowboys Named Top Landing Spot for Joey Porter Jr. Trade
Things have grown a little messy for Porter and the Steelers this summer. In summary, the two sides are in a contract dispute.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport insinuated Porter wants to become the highest-paid cornerback in the league. That would give Porter an average annual salary north of $33 million.
The Seattle Seahawks signed cornerback Devon Witherspoon to a 4-year, $132 million on August 17.
Rapoport guessed Monday night the Steelers haven’t made Porter an offer yet because they aren’t prepared to come close to that number.
Rapoport strongly suggested, though, that another team would. The Cowboys have the future cap space available to add Porter. The team also has the need at cornerback.
Dallas could acquire Porter to start immediately opposite DaRon Bland. That would push Cobie Durant and Shavon Revel Jr. into potentially more suitable depth roles.
How Much Would Joey Porter Jr. Cost?
The Cowboys may have an opportunity to land Porter. But he’s not going to be cheap either from a trade or contract perspective.
Trade proposals involving Porter have predicted teams send at least a second-rounder. A lot of trade pitches have been a second-rounder and a Day 2 pick.
Then whichever team acquires Porter, if he’s traded, would have to meet his contract demands. Again, that could be around $33 million per season and potentially rising. The New England Patriots and cornerback Christian Gonzalez are negotiating a deal right now too, and Porter might want to beat Gonzalez’s contract if he signs first.
As DeArdo explained, the Cowboys have the cap space. They also have two first-rounders again in 2027. That would make it easier for Dallas to part with a second-rounder.
The remaining questions are — will the Steelers really trade him? Secondly, will the Cowboys be aggressive enough to meet those demands.
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