Buckle up, Pittsburgh Steelers fans, it's going to be a long 2026 season filled with Joey Porter Jr. trade rumors after the team failed to sign him to a long-term extension. Following Porter's Week 1 absence from the Steelers' victory over the Atlanta Falcons, Porter has been linked to not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, but six different NFL trade landing spots.
According to CBS Sports' Bryan DeArdo, the Steelers have six potential trade partners that may be interested in Porter: the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, and Green Bay Packers.
Arguably, the most interesting of these projected trade partners are the Bears, and here's what DeArdo had to say about Porter's fit with Chicago.
"Chicago's pass defense was one of its biggest weaknesses in 2025, and based on how it currently looks, that may well be the case for 2026 unless the Bears do something soon," DeArdo wrote. "The Bears spent a high draft pick on safety Dillon Thieneman, but he alone won't help make up for the current injuries the unit is dealing with. Starting safety Coby Bryant (knee) and starting nickelback Kyler Gordon (calf) are currently dealing with injuries.
"It goes without saying that Porter's arrival in Chicago would strengthen the team's Super Bowl aspirations. Adding to the likelihood of this scenario is that Khan and Bears GM Ryan Poles have a history of making notable transactions."
This would actually be a full-circle move for Porter, as the No. 32 overall pick the Steelers used to draft him originally belonged to the Bears. Considering the Steelers' unwillingness to sign Porter to a long-term deal and Chicago's pass defense woes, this trade idea makes a lot of sense.
Although the Steelers hit a financial and contractual roadblock with Porter, specifically when it pertains to guaranteed money, a trade feels unlikely in 2026. Pittsburgh has a roster that is built to win now, and the team can't afford to part ways with their top coverage cornerback in what could be a big year. After all, the Steelers can always franchise tag Porter and revisit contract talks after this season.
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. linked to 6 different NFL trade partners
