The Pittsburgh Steelers were able to get a big win to start the 2026 season on Sunday, and a big defensive performance was a huge part of the win. The defense was missing a notable piece though as Joey Porter Jr. did not take the field for the season opener. He had been dealing with a back injury that had him placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list at the start of training camp, but he was activated off the list on the day 53-man rosters were announced. He has been practicing in a limited capacity ever since, but he didn't feel ready to play in Week 1.
Barry Reeger / Imagn Images
July 29, 2026; Latrobe, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) laughs on the sideline while watching a practice session at Saint Vincent College.
The injury is a bit mysterious, and a lot of fans in Pittsburgh do not buy the notion that he is hurt at all. He has been in a contract dispute with the organization throughout the 2026 offseason, and the two sides could not come to an agreement on a new deal before the season opener. Porter has seen several players from his draft class get paid, and he believes he deserves a second deal as well. He has seemed to have an inflated view of his value in comparison to how the organization views him, although he has proven himself to be one of the better lockdown cornerbacks in the NFL.
The Steelers do not conduct contractual business during the season, so it seems like an extension will not get done between the two sides. It was reported on Sunday that Porter could be traded, and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler believes the Steelers would be willing to get rid of the young cornerback via trade. He mentioned this in a recent article where he also shared the top five landing spots for Porter.
"The Joey Porter Jr. situation in Pittsburgh has reached a tipping point," Fowler wrote. "Porter is open to a trade and the Steelers are willing to deal him. This has been brewing for a while, with Porter long considering his options after the team's hardline stance on a contract despite paying several teammates from his 2023 draft class."
It is safe to assume that Porter and some decision-makers might not be seeing eye to eye, and that could lead to the end of Porter's time with the Steelers. He plays a premium position extremely well so it would be beneficial for the Steelers to find a way to lock him up for the foreseeable future, but that seems like a long shot at this juncture.
Steelers Should Have Several Interested Teams In Joey Porter Jr.
Porter plays a premium position, so there should be teams from all over the spectrum showing interest in the cornerback. This could include legitimate contenders looking for the final piece to get over the hump, or it could be worse teams that may be able to afford a large contract for a cornerback since there is no franchise quarterback on the books, or the quarterback is still on a rookie deal.
Fowler listed five teams that could be interested in Porter: the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, and San Francisco 49ers.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. makes a play in a 2025 regular season game against the Detroit Lions.
The Jets might be the most logical trading partner for the Steelers. New York has cap space, and the franchise has a ton of draft capital that could be dealt. The Jets have three first round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, which means they would be more willing to part with one of them in a deal. The Cowboys are a common trade partner for the Steelers, but Dallas has already given away a significant amount of draft capital. The Lions and 49ers fall under the "contender" category, and either franchise could view Porter as a way to get over the hump in the NFC.
What do you think about Porter potentially being traded? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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