The Pittsburgh Steelers may have another player who fits the Dallas Cowboys’ plans. Joey Porter Jr. is being linked to Dallas after the Cowboys created roughly $30 million in cap space, though this remains speculation, and neither team has said they've discussed a trade.
The connection isn’t a stretch given Pittsburgh and Dallas' recent history. The Cowboys acquired George Pickens in 2025, then completed the Broderick Jones trade just before this year’s roster cuts. Porter would be the third member of Pittsburgh’s 2022-23 draft class sent there in two seasons.
Still, a familiar trade partner and available cash don’t constitute negotiations. Dallas has simply given itself the ability to make a move while Pittsburgh hasn't yet. Its contract standoff with the 26-year-old cornerback approaches a hard deadline.
Cap move puts Joey Porter Jr. Pittsburgh Steelers-Dallas Cowboys trade speculation on the clock
Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones told 105.3 The Fan that Dallas remains open for business.
“The best way for me to answer that is -- not timing-wise, right on something this morning or this week -- but if you looked at it generally speaking, we’re in play. And that’s the best way to describe it.”
Jones then narrowed the potential target to one side of the ball.
“You can look and see that defensively -- and that’s as deep as I’m going to go here… But defense would be the place.” He called the timing of the recent cap maneuvers “conspicuously obvious” and said the Cowboys have “really viable, serious room financially to make a trade if we wanted to right now.”
That describes capability, not a pursuit of Porter. The speculation gains credibility from Pittsburgh’s side, where the Steelers still haven’t extended Porter and have reached an impasse. That delay has only made negotiations more expensive, as Porter’s price tag skyrocketed following Christian Gonzalez’s recent extension with the Patriots. Their policy against negotiating during the season leaves only five days before the Sept. 13 opener against Atlanta.
Pittsburgh is rightfully preparing for the possibility that Porter sits out. The team’s official Week 1 depth chart lists “Joey Porter Jr. OR Asante Samuel Jr.” at one outside cornerback spot. While that's not evidence of an impending trade, it confirms the Steelers have a contingency plan.
Trading Porter would require a far stronger return than Pittsburgh received for Pickens or Broderick Jones. Porter allowed a 47.8 percent completion rate without surrendering a touchdown in 2025. Pittsburgh also built its secondary around Porter, Jamel Dean, and Jalen Ramsey. Dean is 29, Ramsey is 31, and rookie Daylen Everette remains developmental depth.
The Cowboys have indicated that high draft picks are available for immediate help. If that means a first-round pick, Omar Khan has to listen. Anything less would turn a contract disagreement into a self-created hole at a premium position.
Dallas can afford Porter. Pittsburgh shouldn’t help Jerry Jones acquire another Steeler unless the return starts with a first-round pick.
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