A fresh trade wrinkle has put Joey Porter Jr. back in the spotlight, and it immediately creates a natural fit for the Detroit Lions.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport reported that Porter has asked for a trade and is willing to play somewhere else while he and the Pittsburgh Steelers remain stuck without a contract extension. The Steelers, according to the report, are also taking calls, but they have not found much traction at their reported asking price.
“Sources say Porter, who had previously requested a trade from the Steelers , is open to playing elsewhere, and an early-season trade is very possible,” Schefter and Rapoport reported.
“The Steelers have been open to listening to offers for Porter, sources say. But there has not been notable interest at Pittsburgh's asking price of a premium draft pick -- possibly in the first round -- and no serious trade talks have developed despite the Steelers' willingness to deal him,” the report adds.
For Detroit, the appeal is obvious. The Lions have a real question at one boundary corner spot, and the options lined up opposite D.J.
Reed are not exactly reassuring. After cutting Terrion Arnold following his legal troubles, Detroit is left with Roger McCreary, Rock Ya-Sin or Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the mix.
That group comes with clear concerns. McCreary is better built for the slot, Ya-Sin is a backup, and Rakestraw has yet to prove himself after two injury-filled seasons.
Porter would change that picture fast. He’d be a major upgrade for the Lions and give them a much stronger defensive setup as they look ahead to 2026.
Detroit also has the financial flexibility to make something happen. The Lions recently cleared out a lot of cap space, and that gives them room not just to swing a deal, but to work out an extension if they land Porter.
With the team firmly in win-now mode, this is the kind of move they at least have to explore. A cornerback of Porter’s caliber would immediately raise the ceiling of the defense.
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