Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. traded to Cowboys, cites past disrespect by Steelers
Joey Porter Jr. was dealt from Pittsburgh to Dallas and says his back injury is improving, while expressing that he felt undervalued by the Steelers and hopes to finish his career with the Cowboys.
Dallas received cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday in exchange for a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick. The fourth-year player missed training camp, the preseason and the first three regular-season games with a back injury, but his condition has reportedly improved.
Porter was listed as inactive for the Steelers’ Week 4 game against Cleveland and was not on the Cowboys’ injury report ahead of Sunday’s matchup with Houston, suggesting he could be available to play.
"Definitely felt disrespected, definitely felt undervalued," Porter said, adding that the feelings are now in the past as he looks forward to a new chapter in Dallas.
Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer said after Thursday’s practice that Porter moved well and that the first day was a positive start. The team still needs to negotiate a new contract with Porter, who is reportedly seeking a deal averaging $30 million per year, a figure that would rank him among the league’s highest-paid cornerbacks.
"I'm down with it if they are. I want to finish my career here," Porter told reporters.
Porter finished last season with 52 tackles, 14 passes defended and one interception in 14 games for the Steelers. He entered the league as a second-round pick out of Penn State and has recorded three career interceptions in 47 games.