The Dallas Cowboys are back in the market for defensive help, and this time the target is a familiar one in the NFL rumor mill: Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Dallas has already checked in with Pittsburgh about the disgruntled defender. Fowler said, "Also on the Dallas front, yes, the Cowboys have inquired about Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr.," Fowler reports. "But there was no movement as of Wednesday morning, and Dallas doesn't seem eager to relinquish major capital to secure Porter just yet."
That detail matters. The Cowboys have interest, but they apparently are not rushing to pay a premium to get the deal done right now.
It’s not hard to see why Porter would be on their radar. Dallas has had its share of defensive issues this season, especially in the secondary, even with the additions of Caleb Downs, Jaishawn Barham, and defensive coordinator Christian Parker. If the Cowboys are looking for a proven outside corner, Porter fits the profile.
Porter has spent three seasons with the Steelers and has produced three interceptions, 31 passes defended, and a passer rating against of just 71.2.
Jerry Jones has also hinted before that the Cowboys have been involved in trade discussions, so this kind of move would not come out of nowhere. And Dallas has already shown it can do business with Pittsburgh, landing George Pickens before the 2025 season.
That trade worked out well, which only adds another layer to the Porter conversation. The bigger hurdle may be the money. Porter is seeking a massive new deal, so any team trying to pry him loose would have to be ready to handle both the draft-pick cost and the contract situation.
If Jones is willing to commit the resources, the Cowboys could position themselves as a serious contender for Porter ahead of the 2026 NFL trade deadline.
In Other News...
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Bruce Arians spent part of an Up & Adams appearance breaking down Pittsburghs Week 3 win over Cincinnati and Aaron Rodgers performance, keeping the conversation where Steelers fans expected it to be. The former coach stayed on the football side of things throughout the interview, offering a familiar veterans perspective on a win that mattered for Pittsburghs early-season momentum.
What followed, though, had less to do with the game than with Kay Adams herself. Viewers latched onto her appearance and voice, saying she seemed different than usual and sparking a swirl of reaction that quickly overshadowed the football talk. Arians never addressed any of it, leaving the interview to do double duty as both a Steelers discussion and the backdrop for a separate conversation that took off on its own. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers May Be Stuck With Joey Porter Jr For One Reason
Joey Porter Jr. has become one of the more awkward talking points around the Steelers, with Pittsburgh reportedly trying to line up a second-round pick in return for the cornerback while he remains healthy but unwilling to play. For a team that would rather be focused on the season ahead, the situation has already shifted from roster management to a question of how long this can linger without becoming a bigger problem.
ESPNs Dan Graziano reported that clubs are wary of meeting the Steelers price because of concerns tied to Porters contract demands and his recent inactivity. That leaves Pittsburgh in a tricky spot: either soften its asking price or risk carrying a player who could remain a distraction well into the year. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Face A QB Decision Fans Didn't Expect This Soon
The Steelers are already in an unusual spot entering Week 4 of the 2026 season, carrying four quarterbacks on the roster and trying to sort out what that depth means in a league where injuries can quickly change the calculus. National voices like Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano have raised the possibility that Pittsburgh could listen if the right trade offer comes along, even as the team and head coach Mike McCarthy have made it clear they would prefer to keep the group intact.
Injuries elsewhere around the NFL have only added to the chatter, since quarterback depth has become one of the most discussed commodities this early in the season. For now, though, Pittsburgh has not moved any of its quarterbacks, and the situation leaves the Steelers balancing immediate insurance against the possibility that another team might soon be willing to pay a premium for help under center. [Read more 🡒]