The Pittsburgh Steelers were in a ton of headlines throughout training camp and the start of the 2026 season due to the contract dispute that was going on with star cornerback Joey Porter Jr. The two sides had all offseason to try and work out an extension, but the franchise took its time with a potential deal and Porter took that as disrespectful. The relationship was strained, and it became clear that the only solution to the problem would be to work out a trade. That is when the organization decided to deal Porter to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a second-round pick in 2028 and a sixth-round pick in 2027.
youtube / Dallas Cowboys
Former Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. speaks to the media as a member of the Dallas Cowboys for the first time.
Trading Porter left a lot of members of the fan base in Pittsburgh upset, and the move also provided some worry for the defense for the Steelers. Porter was the best player in the cornerback room, and with him leaving it left some uncertainty. Jamel Dean is aging, Daylen Everette is a rookie, and then there is some doubt surrounding Asante Samuel Jr. All three of those players performed well in Pittsburgh's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, with Dean and Everette recording their first interceptions as members of the Steelers.
Beat writer Mark Kaboly joined 93.7 The Fan on Monday morning to discuss the play of the secondary in the win over Tampa Bay, and he clearly stated how the Steelers feel after the Porter trade.
"DeShon Elliott is the key to all of this," Kaboly said. "A healthy Elliott makes everything fall into place. Especially because Samuel is playing well, Everette is stepping up, Dean, you can see why they gave him $12 million. At this point, right now, it's worth saying, they do not miss Joey Porter Jr. right now. Now in the future, that could be different, whatever."
Pittsburgh's secondary played decently on Sunday against Tampa Bay, but the group was supposed to. It was taking on an undrafted rookie free agent at quarterback. The secondary was productive which was a step in the right direction, and that type of play will be needed consistently moving forward if the team wants to properly move on without Porter Jr.
Kim Klement Neitzel / Imagn Images
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Daylen Everette (23) celebrates an interception during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
The Steelers can feel good now about deciding to trade a lockdown cornerback, but there might come a time when the move isn't going to look so good. Pittsburgh is going to have to take on some legitimate NFL quarterbacks and wide receivers as the season goes on, and things likely won't look as great as it did versus Tampa Bay. The secondary has already been picked apart by the likes of Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns, and more talented offenses will be able to take advantage of this defense that has not really performed up to expectations thus far.
The most encouraging part of the secondary is that DeShon Elliott should be returning soon, and Jalen Ramsey has been playing very well. Everette's development is another thing to keep an eye on, as the Steelers will be relying on him more as the season goes on.
Steelers Rookies Are Making An Impact In The Secondary
Everette and rookie safety Robert Spears-Jennings have been playing more than anyone probably thought they would be at this point in the season, but they have each made a positive impact. There is going to be learning curves and rookie mistakes from both of them, but they have both proven that they are not liabilities to have on the field. They have each recorded an interception on the year, and they continue to push each other. Spears-Jennings' role will likely decrease once Elliott returns, which is slated to happen in Week 7, but his play up until this point in the season has been encouraging.
What do you think about the current state of the cornerback position in Pittsburgh? What about the secondary overall? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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