Cowboys acquire Joey Porter Jr. from Steelers without new contract

Dallas traded for former Pittsburgh cornerback Joey Porter Jr. without extending a new contract. The Cowboys will assume the $3.052 million balance of his $3.924 million base salary for the 2026 season and will have the right to apply the franchise tag to him in 2027. The 2026 franchise tag for cornerbacks is set at $21.161 million, well below the market rate that exceeds $30 million, giving Dallas flexibility to either tag the player or let him walk and receive a third-round compensatory pick in 2028. In return, Pittsburgh will receive a second-round draft pick in 2028 and a sixth-round pick in 2027, while also shedding the contract impasse with Porter.

"The Cowboys inherit the $3.052 million balance of his $3.924 million base salary for 2026 and acquire the ability to apply the franchise tag to Porter in 2027," the report noted. The transaction reflects both teams' strategic needs: Dallas aims to bolster its defense, and Pittsburgh sought to resolve a stalled contract negotiation.