Lions, Cowboys Have Called Steelers About Joey Porter Jr. Trade, ESPN Reports
The short version
- ESPN reports the Lions and Cowboys have contacted the Steelers about trading for cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
- Porter, 26, is a 2023 second-round pick in the final year of his rookie deal with 41 career starts.
- Detroit has lost Avonte Maddox for the season, and Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph remain out.
- Spotrac lists Porter's 2026 cap hit just under $5 million, but he is expected to seek a major extension.
Detroit has joined Dallas in contacting Pittsburgh about the 26-year-old cornerback as injuries stretch the Lions' secondary, according to an ESPN report.
The Detroit Lions have contacted the Pittsburgh Steelers about a potential trade for cornerback Joey Porter Jr., according to an ESPN report. The Dallas Cowboys have also reached out to Pittsburgh about the 26-year-old defender. The report indicates Detroit has explored a move, with no compensation agreed upon and no deal considered close.
Porter entered the NFL as a second-round pick in 2023 and is in the last season of his rookie deal. Listed at 6-foot-2, he is a physical defender with a track record in man coverage. Pro Football Reference credits him with 47 regular-season games, 41 starts, three interceptions and 31 pass breakups, and he has been a regular starter for the Steelers.
Detroit's reported interest follows a difficult start for its defensive backfield. The Lions have lost Avonte Maddox for the season, while Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph remain unavailable. Injuries and communication breakdowns have forced the team to improvise in the secondary over the first two weeks of 2026. Cornerback has been a particular trouble spot for the defense.
Porter would give Detroit an established outside cornerback who brings size and length. His 6-foot-2 frame suits matchups with bigger receivers, and his experience allows him to handle isolated coverage when the Lions send pressure. The report casts him as more than a reserve, a starter a defensive scheme can be organized around.
Any trade would involve more than draft-pick compensation. Porter's rookie contract runs only through this season, and he is expected to push for a major extension. Spotrac lists his 2026 cap hit at slightly below $5 million, a figure that keeps the short-term cost manageable. The longer-term investment, however, could be substantial.
General manager Brad Holmes would have to weigh draft capital against a likely new contract and the team's other long-term financial commitments. Detroit does have flexibility under the salary cap, but the organization also faces contract decisions on its own players. Pittsburgh's price for a 26-year-old starter could be high. How Holmes balances those priorities would help determine whether talks advance toward a trade.
Porter's circumstances in Pittsburgh add further layers to any negotiation. He has been managing a back injury along with uncertainty about his contract. Those factors would shape how any deal between the two clubs comes together.
Detroit has already taken smaller steps to reinforce its defense, signing Jalen Mills, reshaping the safety room and drawing links to available veterans. Trading for Porter would be a far larger commitment. Cornerbacks of his age and ability rarely reach the market, which helps explain why the Lions made contact.
The Lions' next game is at home against the New York Jets on Sunday, September 27. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM EDT at Ford Field in Detroit. The game airs on FOX.
