Joey Porter Jr. trade sparks Asante Samuel Sr. warning as Cowboys star faces pressure after leaving Steelers
Dallas acquired Porter from Pittsburgh in a trade this week after a long contract dispute kept him off the field for the first three games of the 2026 season. The Cowboys sent the Steelers a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick for the 26-year-old cornerback. Porter now has a chance to put the entire contract situation behind him and focus on his new team, with the Cowboys preparing to face the Houston Texans in Week 4. The Steelers selected him in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and he quickly became an important part of their defense. Porter played 47 games and made 41 starts during his three seasons in Pittsburgh, according to the NFL. He finished that stretch with 165 tackles, three interceptions and 31 passes defended. The Dallas Cowboys said Porter gives the team a young outside corner who already has 41 NFL starts. In 2025, he started all 14 games he played and recorded 52 tackles, one interception and a team-high 14 passes defended for Pittsburgh, according to the Pittsburgh Steelers . Porter could make his Cowboys debut against Houston on Sunday, October 4, although his playing status will depend on how quickly he settles in with the team and how coaches assess his condition.
Because porter had spent the offseason trying to reach a new contract with Pittsburgh, the comment is interesting. Because they needed help in the secondary, with injuries affecting the cornerback group, the Cowboys made the move. The NFL reported that his status had also been connected to conditioning as the situation developed.
He has said his back feels better after missing the opening games of the season. Joey Porter Jr. is getting a fresh start with the Dallas Cowboys, but former NFL cornerback Asante Samuel Sr. believes the young defensive back may have been better off staying with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Soon after the deal became official, Samuel shared his view on X, warning Porter that leaving Pittsburgh does not automatically mean things will work out better in Dallas. Samuel did not hide his thoughts after the trade. The former New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles cornerback wrote on X, “IDK… Joey Porter Jr. should’ve thugged it out in Pittsburgh. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Let’s see how this plays out. Porter was entering the final year of his rookie contract when the dispute with Pittsburgh continued into the regular season. He also dealt with a back issue during training camp and missed the Steelers’ first three games. Now, instead of trying to settle the issue in Pittsburgh, Porter will have to prove himself with Dallas. Porter arrives in Dallas with plenty to prove, but he also brings three seasons of starting experience.