RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Joey Porter Jr. has earned a raise. The Pittsburgh Steelers, however, are reticent to make him the league's highest-paid cornerback.
While the two sides may simply be playing hardball in negotiations, NFL insider Ian Rapoport suggests a trade could be imminent . While Porter was the 32nd pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, that was also the year the Miami Dolphins were docked a first round pick for tampering -- making the son of the Steelers star the first selection of Day 2. That's important, because it also means there's no fifth-year team option on his rookie contract, making 2026 the final season he's bound to Pittsburgh.
The Steelers could opt to let him play out 2026 and recoup a third-round compensatory pick in 2028 should he leave in free agency. They could choose to franchise tag him next spring in hopes of working out an extension. They could take a look at their devolving quarterback situation and opt to invest in the defense, paying Porter something short of Devon Witherspoon's $33 million per year and work out a long-term deal with a player who's been a Pro Bowl snub in at least two of his three seasons.
Or they could opt to deal him should a team be willing to part with a first round pick to bring him aboard. Who'd fit the bill?
Washington Commanders
Washington overhauled its defense this spring and could have a majority of new starters on that side of the ball. Adding Porter Jr. would punch up a pass defense that finished 31st in dropback expected points added (EPA) allowed . He'd also move Mike Sainristil into the slot, where he's been more effective as a pro, and give the team some insurance should Trey Amos struggle in his second season as a pro.
Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones got proactive to improve an awful defense at last year's trade deadline, giving up a 2027 first rounder for Quinnen Williams. Part of the reason that defense was so bad was thanks to the Micah Parsons trade, which granted him a second 2027 Day 1 pick to deal away.
Adding Porter Jr. to a defense that landed Caleb Downs in the draft would create a foundation of young talent in Dallas. It would also give Jones another salary cap headache that chips away at his roster depth, though at this point it seems he wouldn't have things any other way.
Chicago Bears
Tyrique Stevenson is perfectly acceptable as the team's CB2 behind Jaylon Johnson. And, logically, any first round capital should go to punching up a disappointing pass rush. But if Chicago can't pressure the quarterback, the next best thing would be a stocked secondary filled with guys who can keep opposing receivers from getting open. The Bears' 0.88 EPA allowed per dropback ranked 20th last year, fourth-worst among playoff teams.
Los Angeles Chargers
Cam Hart and Porter Jr. on the sidelines with Tarheeb Still operating in the slot and Derwin James manning the middle of the field? That's one hell of a unit to keep Patrick Mahomes and Bo Nix from shining.
Pass defense isn't a priority for what was already a solid group, but Los Angeles clearly needs a booster pack to break through from good to great. But would Pittsburgh want to send Porter to a team it would potentially see in the playoffs?
Detroit Lions
Detroit used a first round pick in hopes of landing a franchise cornerback in 2024. That resulted in Terrion Arnold, who struggled and was later released after being charged with kidnapping and robbery this offseason. Porter isn't just a do-over; he's a proven talent who can be an immediate rising tide for a franchise whose Super Bowl momentum slowed to a trickle in 2025. With an estimated $62 million in salary cap space for 2027 , the Lions could afford to meet Porter's asking price.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 5 teams who could trade for Joey Porter Jr.
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