The Washington Commanders have spent the offseason resisting the urge to swing big. General manager Adam Peters has stayed patient, choosing a more conventional path after a 2025 season that was supposed to end in a deep playoff run and instead fizzled out.
That restraint could be tested if Joey Porter Jr. really does become available.
Per NFL insider Jordan Schultz, multiple teams around the league have started to wonder whether the Pittsburgh Steelers would listen on their young cornerback for the right return. Porter is heading into the final year of his rookie deal, and with the cornerback market climbing fast, Pittsburgh could be staring at a tough financial call.
Schultz reported, "Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. is a name multiple teams around the NFL have wondered about as a potential trade target, per sources. JPJ is in the final year of his rookie contract, and with where the CB market is, teams have wondered if Pittsburgh could ultimately be open to a move with the Pro Bowl-caliber corner."
That’s where the Commanders come in, at least in theory. Their cornerback group has pieces, but it’s not finished.
Amik Robertson, Mike Sainristil, and Rasul Douglas are all in line for roles, while 2025 second-round pick Trey Amos is still dealing with lingering injury concerns. Amos has practiced in full only once since November 9 last year after a fractured fibula and an ankle sprain, and he’ll be trying to move past any label that comes with that.
If Washington were looking for a cleaner solution at the position, Porter would fit the bill. He’d be a clear upgrade and a major statement addition for a defense that could use one.
The challenge is everything around the deal. Pittsburgh would not give him away cheaply, even with Porter due for a new contract next year.
And that next contract is no small thing. Cornerback salaries at the top of the market are exploding, with five players now at $30 million or more annually and Devin Witherspoon of the Seattle Seahawks recently setting the bar at $33 million per year.
Porter probably wouldn’t land that high, but he wouldn’t be close to bargain territory either. For Washington, that matters. The club could have a significant extension to work through with quarterback Jayden Daniels next year, which would make the rest of the roster math even tighter.
There’s also the Steelers’ side of it. According to Over the Cap, Pittsburgh is already $10.63 million in the red in 2027, and several defenders are set to make more than $20 million next year.
So the pressure is real. The question is whether the Steelers would choose to move one of their best young defenders instead of paying him.
It’s a long shot. But Porter would give the Commanders an immediate boost, and at 26, his prime is still ahead of him. If Washington wants to know whether the door is open, the only way to find out is to ask.
In Other News...
Jayden Daniels May Finally Have The Support Washington Needed
The Commanders spent the offseason reshaping the help around Jayden Daniels, and the changes start with the staff. Kliff Kingsbury is out as offensive coordinator, replaced by David Blough, who was promoted from assistant quarterbacks coach, and the move is being framed as a chance to better tailor the offense to Daniels strengths. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that Blough is expected to help Daniels maximize his abilities, particularly by leaning into the quarterbacks football IQ and his command at the line.
Washington has also tried to fortify the supporting cast, with free-agent receiver Stefon Diggs stepping into a leadership role alongside Terry McLaurin. Even with those additions, the bigger question still hangs over the offense: whether Daniels can stay healthy and whether the unit can hold up after losing starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Those are the kinds of variables that can decide whether all this support actually turns into progress. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Have 3 Roster Races Fans Need To Watch Vs Lions
After a win over the Dolphins, the Commanders are turning their attention to their next preseason test against the Lions, and the roster picture is still taking shape. Dan Quinn said several starters are expected to play, though the exact plan has not been set, which should give this game a little more weight than a typical August tune-up for a team still sorting through the back end of the roster.
The most interesting eyes will be on the cornerback group without Trey Amos, the safety spot next to Nick Cross, and the race for the third wide receiver role behind Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs. Those jobs may not decide the season, but in a camp where every rep counts, this is the kind of game that can separate a candidate from the crowd and start to clarify who is really trending toward a spot. [Read more 🡒]
Stefon Diggs Is Already Changing The Feeling Around Washington
Stefon Diggs has wasted little time becoming part of the conversation in the Commanders locker room, and the early word around the veteran receiver has been upbeat. Sam Cosmi has already praised Diggs for the way he carries himself and for the effect he has had on teammates, including Terry McLaurin, while Dan Quinn has made it clear he expects that kind of presence from a player with Diggs rsum.
For Washington, the appeal goes beyond another proven target. The Commanders are looking for steady voices and a sharper edge inside the building, and Diggs appears to be supplying both in a way that is changing the feel around the team. His reputation has followed him into Washington, but the early signs suggest the version teammates are seeing now is leaving a very different impression. [Read more 🡒]