The Steelers’ contract standoff with Joey Porter Jr. has turned into one of the league’s situations to watch, and now two familiar contenders are hovering around the edges: the Chiefs and the Lions.
That’s the read from NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, who pointed to both teams on Tuesday’s edition of "The Pat McAfee Show" as possible landing spots if Pittsburgh decides to move its cornerback. The Steelers, according to the reporting, have been open to hearing trade offers while the extension talks remain unresolved.
"The Steelers have said that Joey Porter Jr is ramping up and then there's the contract part of it..
There are some teams that need corners and he's a very good player..
Pittsburgh has been open to trading him..
I would keep an eye on the Chiefs and Lions" @RapSheet #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/mJEgXxhzlO
- Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 15, 2026
Porter was out for Pittsburgh’s Week 1 win over Atlanta because of a back injury, and head coach Mike McCarthy said the call to keep him inactive was his, pointing to Porter's limited preparation.
Detroit, at least on paper, looks like the cleaner fit. Rapoport didn’t call anything imminent, but the Lions have reportedly already reached out to Pittsburgh about a possible deal.
Their secondary got stressed in the second half of their Week 1 win over the Saints, when they gave up six completions of 20 yards or more. Chris Olave piled up 10 catches for 182 yards, a stat line that underscored just how much help Detroit could use against top receivers.
Sports Illustrated's John Maakaron also flagged the Lions as the best team to make a "splash trade" for Porter, citing the way he can press at the line and survive without safety help. That kind of coverage ability would give defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard more room to dial up aggressive pressure looks.
Kansas City has its own obvious reason to stay involved. The Chiefs dealt Trent McDuffie to the Rams in the offseason, and rookie Mansoor Delane - the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft - left Monday night’s game with a shoulder injury after picking off Bo Nix.
"If Delane is hurt, [Chiefs general manager] Brett Veach will make a trade," Rapoport said. "He'll be risky. He'll make a trade."
The challenge for Kansas City, and for any team that gets serious, is the money. Porter is in the final year of his rookie deal, so a trade would not just mean giving up draft capital or a player. It would also mean figuring out the cost of a new long-term contract, which could be tricky with the Chiefs’ cap situation.
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For a team that often likes to settle into familiar patterns quickly, the Week 1 usage felt like the first real hint that some roles are still in flux. The defensive workload for Ramsey and Wilson stood out, but the bigger question may be how long the Steelers can keep asking that much of them while managing veteran stars like Watt and Heyward. On offense, the tight end emphasis could be a sign of where the staff wants to create its early identity, even if it leaves a few younger pieces waiting for a larger opening. [Read more 🡒]