The Dallas Cowboys seemingly have a thing for former Pittsburgh Steelers, as their trade for Joey Porter Jr. is now the third significant trade they've made with their fellow gold-star franchise over the last few months.
George Pickens was the first big move, as the Cowboys landed one of the best wide receivers in the NFL for a mere third-round pick. When roster cutdown loomed large, Dallas beefed up their lackluster offensive line depth by adding former first-round pick Broderick Jones.
Now Porter is coming to town in exchange for a 2028 second-round pick and a conditional 2027 sixth-rounder. If time runs out for you in Pittsburgh, especially if you're in the middle of a contract squabble, Dallas has shown that there will always be a home for you at AT&T Stadium.
Cowboys pull off third major trade with Steelers in two years with Joey Porter Jr. deal
Pittsburgh's song has remained the same over the last decade. Mike Tomlin would squeeze every ounce of talent out of this unit, they would barely squeak into the postseason, and then get their lunch money stolen. Dallas seems to look at that formula and wants to replicate it, albeit with Dak Prescott instead of Kenny Pickett.
The Steelers have set themselves up nicely for the post-Aaron Rodgers era, as the picks they acquired from Dallas could help them jump-start a rebuild or retooling while being free of the obligation to pay Porter top-line money. The Cowboys got better, there's no question about that, but how much did the needle move?
Pickens was an obvious move for the Cowboys, even as they remain in franchise tag limbo with him. Jones was a bit confusing, especially after paying a third-round pick for a player the Steelers seemingly had no interest in retaining. Porter is the wild card, as this trade will be judged differently based on what kind of extension he gets.
Will Joey Porter Jr. and his ex-Steelers teammates help the Dallas Cowboys?
Porter is instantly the best defensive back on this team by a country mile. However, there are reasons Pittsburgh wasn't trying against all odds to extend him. His lack of takeaways (three interceptions in three seasons) and preference to play heavy man coverage could lead to a $30 million per year deal aging poorly.
The worst-case scenario for all three of these additions all could come to fruition in the next few months.
Imagine if the Cowboys' Pittsburgh shopping spree ends with Pickens failing to come to terms on a long-term deal, Porter either fails to land an extension or gets massively overpaid, and Jones never makes any sort of impact on the field.
At the same time, it's the front office's job to acquire talent, and the fact that Porter is one of the best young cornerbacks in the league is indisputable.
The Cowboys needed a difference-maker on defense, and they went back to a front office that has been very open to making deals with Dallas in the past to land him.
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