New Joey Porter Jr. Trade Rumors on Cowboys Links, Steelers CB's Valuation by NFL Teams

The Dallas Cowboys reportedly remain in pursuit of a trade for Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., but it sounds like they're hesitant to meet his asking price.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano detailed Porter's trade market, with Fowler reporting that the Cowboys "have inquired about" trading for him, but "there was no movement as of Wednesday morning, and Dallas doesn't seem eager to relinquish major capital to secure Porter just yet."

Porter has missed the first three games of the 2026 season while recovering from a back injury, but the Steelers are reportedly "optimistic" that he could return for Thursday night's game against the Cleveland Browns. However, Graziano reported that Porter's "unresolved contract situation still makes that uncertain." The 26-year-old reportedly rejected a contract extension that would have paid him slightly over $27 million for the 2026 season, and his contract demands could hurt his trade market.

"Dallas believes it could use Porter as a prolific boundary corner," Fowler explained. "Porter has a trade market, but his desire for a new contract -- and the rising costs of a position that's now well above $30 million per year -- complicates matters."

Graziano reported that "the consensus around the league seems to be that Porter is a good cornerback but not among the elites at the position." Teams that have inquired about trading for him "aren't willing to offer enough in return to convince the Steelers to part with Porter AND also sign him to the contract he wants." If he's hoping to be paid over $30 million per year, "it may be hard to find a team desperate enough to offer him that and the Steelers the compensation they're looking for."

The Cowboys and the other teams pursuing Porter will have to decide how much they're willing to give up to acquire him, and the Steelers could have to adjust their trade demands if they want to ship him away.

Porter, who has yet to make his 2026 debut, could potentially see the field Thursday when the Steelers take on the Cleveland Browns.