Reports have circulated that Joey Porter Jr. could consider a trade if his contractual impasse with the Pittsburgh Steelers reaches a point of no return, and that's exactly what happens in a bold new trade prediction.
Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox compiled a list of several trade predictions before the start of the 2026 season, and when it came to Porter, he predicted the Steelers would trade him to the Detroit Lions for a first-round draft pick.
"The Pittsburgh Steelers would certainly prefer to keep starting cornerback Joey Porter Jr. However, their desire to delay contract talks with him may force Pittsburgh to consider a trade instead," Knox wrote. "…If things get to a point where the Steelers don't believe they can keep Porter, flipping
him for a high 2027 pick will become an option for them. Aaron Rodgers isn't the future at quarterback, and while Pittsburgh may hope that either Will Howard or Drew Allar can be, it wouldn't hurt to have a pair of first-round picks in what is expected to be a QB-heavy draft.
"The Detroit Lions, meanwhile, could be prompted to make an aggressive move for a defensive difference-maker like Porter. After missing the playoffs in 2025, the Lions are undoubtedly eager to get back to the top of the NFC North mountain. They could also use a new starter after parting with 2024 first-round pick Terrion Arnold this offseason."
Porter, who was drafted by the Steelers with the 32nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, was expected by some to reset the cornerback market, which has now ballooned to over $30 million. Pittsburgh has been hesitant to hand out a deal of that caliber and may be looking for the cornerback to play out his rookie contract, hence the trade rumors and holdout speculation.
Bleacher Report wasn't the only outlet to link the Lions as a potential trade suitor, as we at Steelers Wire also projected Detroit as a landing spot in our first-round Steelers mock draft.
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. linked to blockbuster NFC North trade
