Joey Porter Jr. is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and Pittsburgh hasn’t been able to get an extension finished.
According to ESPN, Porter believes he belongs closer to the group of cornerbacks making at least $30 million per season than the next tier, who sit around $25 million. The Steelers aren’t comfortable going that high.
The Steelers also don’t negotiate contracts during the regular season, so if nothing gets done before the first game, this could sit there and fester. None of that means Pittsburgh is actively shopping him. At least I don’t think it does.
But Dallas would be foolish not to keep an eye on this ordeal.
The Cowboys already acquired George Pickens from the Steelers in 2025, then went back to the well and traded for Broderick Jones before this season.
I know those deals had nothing to do with Porter, but Dallas and Pittsburgh clearly aren’t afraid to call each other.
Does Joey Porter Jr. Fit Christian Parker’s Defense?
I wasn’t sure about this part until I really dug into the numbers.
Christian Parker’s defense has plenty of Vic Fangio fingerprints on it. We will see Quarters, Cover 6, Cover 3, and Split-safety looks. A lot of making the quarterback figure out what they’re seeing after the snap.
That alone made Christian Gonzalez my measuring stick. If I could hand Parker any young corner in the NFL, Gonzalez would be pretty close to the prototype. I thought he would be hands down, the better fit.
Then I looked at Joey Porter Jr.’s zone numbers.
The Steelers played primarily zone coverage in 2025, and Joey Porter Jr. allowed a 48.7 passer rating in zone coverage. I wasn’t expecting those numbers.
I like that Joey Porter Jr. isn’t some press-man corner Dallas would have to force into Parker’s defense. He has shown he can play in a zone-heavy scheme and do it at a high level.
Joey Porter Jr. vs. Christian Gonzalez
To show the comparison in an easier way, let’s take a look at the table.
Joey Porter Jr. wins almost every category. I don’t know if that makes him the better corner because Christian Gonzalez is just smoother in off coverage, changes direction better and gives Parker a little more flexibility when those zone coverages turn to man after the snap.
Gonzalez is also a much better tackler. Which is surprising seeing how Joey Porter Jr. ‘s dad was known as a physical tackler.
If I’m grading them strictly for Parker’s defense, I’d put Gonzalez around a 9.3 out of 10 and Porter around a 9.0.
If that’s the difference, I wouldn’t turn down Joey Porter Jr.
Dallas Has to Make the Call
Joey Porter Jr. is 26 years old and coming off a season where he didn’t allow a touchdown, gave up only 333 receiving yards and held opposing quarterbacks to a 57.2 passer rating.
I like the fit in what Parker wants to do defensively, and the contract situation gives Dallas a reason to ask about a trade. Find out what the cost is and go from there.
I would give a first-round pick for Joey Porter Jr. knowing a contract extension was getting finished. If it’s a one-year rental, I wouldn’t even float the idea if it’s under the premise a contract will work itself out.
Christian Gonzalez might be the slightly better fit, but I think it’s less likely he’s moved. A Porter move is more likely, in my opinion.
And considering the recent history between Dallas and Pittsburgh, I’d find out exactly what it takes to make this happen.
Was this helpful?
Comments