The Arizona Cardinals suddenly look like a team worth watching if the Steelers ever decide to move Joey Porter Jr.
That possibility gets a little more interesting after Cardinals cornerback Will Johnson went down with a neck injury in Arizona’s Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Head coach Mike LaFleur said the injury could keep the 2025 second-round pick out for the rest of the season, leaving the Cardinals even thinner at cornerback.
Garrett Williams is close to returning from the torn Achilles he suffered last December, but Arizona is still in a rough spot at the position with Johnson now sidelined long-term. That’s where Porter Jr. enters the conversation.
If Pittsburgh and Porter Jr. can’t reach an extension and the Steelers decide to explore a trade, Arizona could make sense as a landing spot. The Cardinals have loaded up on young talent over the past couple of years during their rebuild, and they need help at corner in a hurry.
There’s also a schematic fit to consider. Like Pittsburgh, Arizona has used very little man coverage through the first two weeks under defensive coordinator Nick Rallis. That matters because Porter Jr. is at his best in press man, even though he can handle zone work too.
The asking price would be the real hurdle. If the Steelers can’t land a 2027 first-round pick from another team, Arizona starts to look like a much more realistic partner, since it likely wouldn’t part with a top-10 2027 first-rounder for Porter Jr. A 2027 second-round pick from the Cardinals would still be a strong return for Pittsburgh.
There’s also the idea of trying to get more back in a deal, maybe even wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. given his early-season struggles, but that kind of package seems extremely unlikely to come together.
One other wrinkle: Joey Porter Sr. spent the final two seasons of his career with the Cardinals, which could matter a little to Porter Jr. and his camp.
For now, though, nothing appears to be moving. All indications are that there’s been no trade progress involving Porter Jr. yet.
The 26-year-old had his back flare up in practice last week, according to head coach Mike McCarthy, and that kept him inactive for a second straight game to open the season. Pittsburgh would like to have him back as soon as possible, possibly for Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on September 20 that Porter Jr. may seek a second opinion on his back.
His practice status will likely decide whether he’s ready to face Cincinnati, and his return timeline remains uncertain. Until that gets sorted out, the trade market around Porter Jr. is likely to stay quiet.
In Other News...
Steelers Fans Noticed One Awkward CBS Booth Moment Right Away
Jim Nantz and J.J. Watt were on the call for the Patriots-Steelers game on CBS, with Watt now in the lead analyst seat after Tony Romo went on leave following his July OWI arrest. For Pittsburgh fans tuning in, the broadcast brought a fresh pairing and the usual spotlight that comes with a national window, especially when a marquee AFC team is involved.
One moment, though, stood out almost immediately when Nantz repeated a story Watt had just told about Mike McCarthy receiving a game ball from Aaron Rodgers. The overlap was awkward enough to notice in real time, and it added an unexpected wrinkle to CBSs current setup, with Watt still listed alongside Nantz and Tracy Wolfson for upcoming games while Romo remains off the air. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers May Be Bringing Back A Familiar WR At The Right Time
Isaiah Hodgins only passed through Pittsburgh briefly after joining the Steelers practice squad on Sept. 17, following his release from the San Francisco 49ers, but his connection to the team may not be done yet. He later moved on when the New York Giants signed him to their active roster on Nov. 13, closing out that stop with the Steelers and sending him back into the leagues familiar cycle of roster churn and receiver-needy teams.
Now Hodgins has fueled speculation with a Steelers logo on his Instagram story and a bio update pointing to Pittsburgh, a small social-media clue that has caught attention for a team dealing with injuries at wide receiver. Whether it turns into a real reunion remains to be seen, but the timing makes sense for a Steelers group that could use more depth, and Hodgins name is suddenly back in the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Aaron Rodgers Already Faces A Steelers Debate Nobody Wanted
Aaron Rodgers is already drawing fresh scrutiny in Pittsburgh after a rough opening stretch has left the Steelers searching for answers on offense. Through two games, Rodgers has completed 59.5% of his passes with one touchdown and one interception, and the unit around him has not looked like the kind of smooth fit the Steelers hoped for when they brought him in.
Rob Gronkowski added another layer to the conversation during a podcast discussion with Julian Edelman, questioning Rodgers decision to return to the NFL for the 2026 season and suggesting he might end up wishing he had retired last year. For a team trying to steady its offense, the noise around Rodgers is growing quickly, and the bigger question now is whether Pittsburgh can quiet it before the debate starts to shape everything around the season. [Read more 🡒]