Why Steelers Traded Joey Porter Jr. to Cowboys Revealed in New NFL Rumors After Contract Standoff

The Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly traded cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys because of their refusal to include a second-year guarantee during contract discussions.

ESPN's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that Pittsburgh offered the cornerback a contract that would have paid him an "acceptable" $28 million in average annual value. However, the team "held firm" on its usual stance that it would avoid injury guarantees after the first year of the deal even though it did give pass-rusher T.J. Watt such a second-year guarantee in the past.

"Declining to do so for Porter led to the contract impasse," Rapoport reported, adding the cornerback "wanted the security of a long-term contract rather than a large one-year payment" and "knew he would have been unlikely to play for Pittsburgh without a new contract."

Rapoport noted the Green Bay Packers and Cincinnati Bengals are also teams that typically take such a stance with second-year guarantees.

In addition to Watt, Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf also has one, although that came along in a trade. And Watt is one of the best defensive players in the league and a foundational superstar with a Defensive Player of the Year and eight Pro Bowl nods on his resume, so some flexibility is understandable.

Porter, who was also dealing with a back injury in addition to the contract impasse, ultimately sat out training camp.

Pittsburgh traded him to the Cowboys for a 2027 sixth-round draft pick and a 2028 second-round draft pick in what Rapoport called its "only serious offer" even though the Detroit Lions were also suitors.

Dallas is 25th in the league in points allowed per game in the early going this season and could certainly use the help in the secondary. The NFC East team is also not wasting much time getting him on the field with the expectation he will play Sunday's game against the Houston Texans.

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ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday the plan is for Porter to play "about 30 snaps or so, depending on the flow of the game."

When healthy, the 26-year-old can be one of the best cornerbacks in the league. In fact, he held opposing quarterbacks to a 57.2 passer rating and 48.5 completion percentage when targeted last season, per Pro Football Reference.

That type of coverage would provide an immediate boost for the Cowboys, who are looking to bounce back from their 1-2 start.