The Pittsburgh Steelers made a significant trade on eve of their Week 4 "Thursday Night Football" game against the Cleveland Browns.
Pittsburgh traded its top cornerback, Joey Porter Jr., to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick, as the Cowboys announced the morning of Thursday, Oct. 1.
The Steelers' decision to trade Porter comes amid a contract stalemate between the two parties. They weren't able to agree to a long-term extension before the start of the 2026 NFL season, and Porter didn't play in any of Pittsburgh's first three games while dealing with a back injury amid that stand-off.
Originally, it appeared Porter might have a chance to play in Week 4 after logging full participation at practice
on Monday, Sept. 28, and Tuesday, Sept. 29. However, he was ruled out Wednesday after being listed on the injury report with a designation that read "not injury-related/conditioning/back."
Mere hours later, Porter was traded to the Cowboys. The 26-year-old, who allowed just a 56.2 passer rating in 14 games last season, will now look to get on the field and provide Dallas with a boost at the cornerback position.
The deal between the Cowboys and the Steelers isn't just significant because of the player being moved. It also marks the continuation of a strong, recent trade history between the two teams since the 2025 NFL offseason.
Here's more to know about the trades the Cowboys and Steelers have swung in recent seasons.
Steelers-Cowboys trade history
Since the start of the 2025 NFL offseason, the Steelers have traded three players to the Cowboys. All were either first- or second-round draft picks by Pittsburgh.
Below is a full timeline of those trades:
- May 7, 2025: Cowboys acquire WR George Pickens from Steelers
- Aug. 29, 2026: Cowboys acquire OT Broderick Jones from Steelers
- Oct. 1, 2026: Cowboys acquire CB Joey Porter Jr. from Steelers
George Pickens trade details
Cowboys get:
- WR George Pickens
- 2027 sixth-round pick
Steelers get:
- 2026 third-round pick
- 2027 fifth-round pick
Dallas' deal for Pickens kickstarted the mini-flurry of trade activity between the Cowboys and Steelers. Pittsburgh offloaded the 2022 second-round pick in a package including a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 pick swap.
Pickens thrived during his first season in Dallas, leading the team with 93 catches, 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. He was named a second-team All-Pro for his efforts and got slapped with the franchise tag during the 2026 offseason, tethering him to Dallas for at least one season.
The Steelers used the third-round selection they acquired in the Pickens trade on Penn State quarterback Drew Allar. He will compete with Will Howard, and perhaps a future draft pick, to serve as the eventual successor for the 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers.
Broderick Jones trade details
Cowboys get:
- OT Broderick Jones
- 2027 fourth-round pick
Steelers get:
- 2027 third-round pick
- 2027 sixth-round pick
Just before the NFL's annual cut day, the Steelers traded Jones – their 2023 first-round pick, who became expendable after Pittsburgh spent a 2026 first-round pick on Max Iheanachor – to the Cowboys. Jones made 38 starts across 48 games in Pittsburgh before being dealt to the Cowboys, who were in the market for depth and competition behind Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele.
Jones has thus far played just one offensive snap for the Cowboys, as Guyton and Steele have remained the team's starters. The Georgia product graded 66th among 84 qualified offensive tackles for his performance during the 2025 NFL season, per Pro Football Focus, so he may remain in a backup role for Dallas.
Joey Porter Jr. trade details
Cowboys get:
- CB Joey Porter Jr.
Steelers get:
- 2027 sixth-round pick
- 2028 second-round pick
The Cowboys spent significant resources to upgrade their defense during the 2026 NFL offseason, but they have still endured issues to open the season. That, plus some injuries at the cornerback position, led them to target Porter to serve as a starter across from DaRon Bland in Christian Parker's defense.
Porter is set to be a free agent after the 2026 NFL season, so the Cowboys will have their work cut out for them retaining both him and Pickens. Nonetheless, Porter fills a massive need for the team, and they didn't surrender any present-year assets to acquire him.
Meanwhile, the Steelers are simply putting an end to the drama involving Porter. The two parties will get a fresh start and Pittsburgh's front office should be happy to land a potential high-quality Day 2 pick for down the road.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Joey Porter Jr. trade continues recent trend between Cowboys, Steelers
