Dan Campbell Reveals Lions Were 'Very' Involved in Joey Porter Jr. Trade Talks Before Cowboys Deal

The Detroit Lions made a play for cornerback Joey Porter Jr. before he was traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Dallas Cowboys this week.

When asked about Porter on Friday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell told reporters, "We were very much in on him."

Ultimately, Pittsburgh sent Porter to Dallas in exchange for a 2028 second-round draft pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick.

Selected by the Steelers at the top of the second round in the 2023 NFL draft, Porter started 41 of the 47 regular-season games he appeared in for Pittsburgh over three campaigns, recording 165 tackles, 31 passes defended and three interceptions.

With the two sides unable to come to terms on a new deal in what is his contract year, the Steelers ultimately moved on from Porter by trading him to the Cowboys.

Dallas had a clear and obvious need in its secondary, as it ranked last in the NFL against the pass last season, and is 30th in total defense and 25th in scoring defense so far this season.

The Lions have major defensive woes of their own, though, ranking last in scoring defense and pass defense, and 31st in total defense through three games.

Detroit's secondary has been its main area of concern with safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph both on the PUP list, and top cornerback Terrion Arnold no longer on the team.

A first-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, Arnold was released by the Lions in June after being arrested on felony charges of armed robbery and kidnapping.

With Arnold out of the picture, Detroit has moved forward with D.J. Reed and Rock Ya-Sin as its starting outside corners, but they have not gotten the job done thus far.

The Lions are still off to a 2-1 start thanks to a high-flying offense led by running back Jahmyr Gibbs, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and quarterback Jared Goff.

However, if the Lions are going to be true contenders, they may need to make significant improvements to their secondary, and acquiring Porter could have been a step in the right direction.