Joey Porter Jr.’s future in Pittsburgh is suddenly looking shaky.
The Steelers cornerback sat out the team’s season-opening win over the Falcons on Sunday because of a back injury, and even once he’s healthy, it’s not a lock that he’ll be back on the field in black and gold. With Porter and Pittsburgh unable to work out a contract extension, ESPN’s Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter reported that an "early-season trade is possible."
Porter is only 26, and there’s plenty to like about his game. He has the kind of length and talent that lets him go toe-to-toe with top receivers, and he still has more upside to unlock.
That makes him a real trade chip, but the Steelers aren’t moving him cheaply. Per Rapoport and Schefter, Pittsburgh would want a "premium draft pick" in return.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN floated five teams that could make sense if the Steelers decide to deal him: the Cowboys, Lions, Saints, Jets and 49ers.
Dallas stands out for one simple reason - the Cowboys and Steelers have already done business. Fowler pointed to the recent trade history between the teams, writing, "The franchise has trade-market rapport with Pittsburgh GM Omar Khan," and adding, "The sides have reached deals in back-to-back offseasons, as Dallas traded for wide receiver George Pickens in May 2025 and offensive tackle Broderick Jones on Aug. 29.
"Dallas did not discuss Porter with Pittsburgh at the time of the Jones trade. But that would be an easy call for the Cowboys to make if interested."
San Francisco is another team to watch, and the fit makes sense on paper because of the money. Fowler noted the 49ers have more than $45 million in cap space, which would remove the financial hurdle.
He also wrote, "The 49ers' cornerback rotation looked stout Thursday against the Los Angeles Rams, but seasons are long and Porter would help the defense immensely. ... Porter opposite Deommodore Lenoir would form a stout 1-2 cornerback combo," Fowler wrote.
For now, Porter is still on the Steelers’ roster. But if this situation keeps trending the way it has, Pittsburgh fans may need to get used to the idea of seeing him in another uniform before the season is over.
In Other News...
Giants Season Just Reached A Bleak New Point Around Jung Hoo Lee
Rafael Devers landing on the 60-day injured list with a core injury is the latest reminder of how fast the Giants season has unraveled. What began as a roster built around recognizable pieces has turned into something far more fragile, with injuries, trades and other absences stripping away the Opening Day group one by one.
Jung Hoo Lee now stands as the lone holdover from that original lineup, a stark marker of how much has changed over the course of the year. For a club that once imagined continuity as a strength, the reality is now the opposite, with almost every familiar face gone and the lineup telling the story of a season that never stayed intact. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Face A Bigger Logan Webb Decision Than Fans Expected
Logan Webbs uneven stretch has pushed the Giants into a far more delicate late-season conversation than they likely expected when the year began. Their longtime starter has dealt with right knee bursitis earlier this season, and while he has remained in the rotation, his recent inconsistency has left the club weighing whether it makes more sense to keep him going or protect him for what comes next.
Tony Vitello said the decision will come after a conversation with Webb, which leaves the situation very much in motion. Webb is carrying a career-worst 4.31 ERA, a mark that underscores both the frustration of his season and the stakes for a Giants team trying to balance present needs with a broader view of his health and durability. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Prospect May Be Forcing A Promotion At Exactly The Right Time
The Giants upper levels kept producing late-season momentum even as Eugenes run ended with a sweep at the hands of Vancouver in the Northwest League Championship Series. San Jose, meanwhile, pushed into the finals behind a playoff burst from Andy Polanco, who launched two home runs in one game, and that kind of October stage often has a way of sharpening the organizations view of who is ready for more.
Lorenzo Meola has only strengthened his case. He finished the season leading all minor leaguers with 40 doubles and paired that extra-base production with steady work on both sides of the ball for San Jose, the sort of all-around showing that tends to get noticed when roster decisions start looming. With one affiliate done and another still playing, the timing could hardly be better for a player trying to make the next move feel unavoidable. [Read more 🡒]