Joey Porter Jr. reveals exactly how he learned of Steelers trading him to the Cowboys

Joey Porter Jr., formerly a cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, recently divulged the circumstances surrounding his trade to the Dallas Cowboys. The move concluded a protracted contract impasse between the cornerback and his former team. In an interview with The White House w/ Mike Irvin, Porter Jr. recounted how he was informed of the surprising trade.

"I was at the movies when I got the call. It was late at night, like 11:30. I was chilling, and my GM, the Steelers GM, called me and he told me exactly the play and what was going to happen following. Man, it was a smile on my face," Porter Jr. shared. The 26-year-old cornerback had been pursuing a long-term contract extension from the Steelers, but instead of granting him the extension, the team opted to trade him.

In return for Porter Jr., Dallas provided the Pittsburgh Steelers with a 2027 sixth-round draft pick and a 2028 second-round draft pick. Despite his departure from the team where he started his NFL career, Porter Jr. expressed enthusiasm about joining the Dallas Cowboys. "It was a bittersweet moment, but I was just so excited to be a Dallas Cowboy and get on that and head over and talk to all the Joneses and the coaches.

So man, it was a blessing." Porter Jr. was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the first selection of the second round in the 2023 NFL Draft after completing his college football career at Penn State. Throughout the 2025 season, he appeared in 14 games, amassing 52 tackles, one sack, one interception, and 14 pass deflections.

The Cowboys now eagerly anticipate Porter Jr.'s contribution to their defense, which needs improvement, while he has the chance to establish himself in a new environment with the team.