Last year, when the Cowboys learned that linebacker Micah Parsons wouldn’t play without a new contract, Dallas traded him.
This year, the Steelers seem to realize that cornerback Joey Porter Jr. will not play without a new contract. And so they trade him.
According to multiple reports, the Steelers are sending Porter to the Cowboys.
The full rule has not yet appeared. A separate question is whether the Cowboys will give Porter the contract he couldn’t get in Pittsburgh.
Dallas could decide to ride it out in 2026, with Porter making $3.924 million. Then, they can apply the franchise tag in 2027.
It’s hard to imagine the Cowboys trading for a player who apparently has no intention of playing until he gets a new deal.
The common link between Porter, a second-round pick in 2023, and Parsons is that they are both represented by Athletes First’s David Mulugheta. Mulugheta also represents receiver George Pickens, who the Steelers traded to the Cowboys in May 2025.
The Cowboys did not give Pickens a new deal. For 2026, they tagged him. For receivers, the franchise tender is below market value. This goes for the cornerbacks as well.
Much will be revealed in the coming hours. For now, the most important point is that the disagreement between the Steelers and Porter ended with Porter being sent to a new team.