New reported trade front-runner for Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. emerges

A Sunday report named the Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers as potential landing spots for unsettled Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who seemingly won't be receiving a desired contract extension from his current employer anytime soon. 

It sounds like one of the above clubs has emerged as a legitimate contender to acquire Porter. 

NFC North team close to trading for Joey Porter Jr.?

On Monday night, Green Bay Packers reporter Easton Butler of 247Sports shared that the Lions are considered the "frontrunners" to land Porter if the Steelers complete a trade. Butler, who has a proven history of breaking news, suggested that Pittsburgh's asking price is two first-round draft picks. Butler also mentioned the Washington Commanders and Minnesota Vikings as teams that are "in the mix" for Porter. 

The Lions allegedly were only willing to trade multiple second-round picks and a player for Porter as of Monday. For a piece published on Tuesday, NFL analyst Ben Solak of ESPN noted that he feels "the Lions' secondary is going to be an Achilles' heel" after Detroit surrendered 30 points from the start of the second half of the club's 31-30 win over the Saints this past Sunday through the game's overtime period. 

Why Lions may not get Joey Porter Jr. anytime soon

The Steelers' policy of not negotiating with a player after the start of a regular season would lead one to believe Porter won't get an extension from the club before 2027. That said, Solak added that his "sense so far is" that the Steelers don't want to trade Porter. 

Porter is under contract, and the Steelers having 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers serving as their starting quarterback makes them a win-now side. Thus, it wouldn't make much sense, on paper, for the Steelers to trade a key contributor for future draft picks after they began the season with a 20-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons this past Sunday.

It's also worth noting that any team that trades for Porter will have to pay him. He reportedly was "insulted" by one offer he recently received from the Steelers, and it's assumed Pittsburgh isn't willing to give him a salary of at least $30M per season. For now, Porter is on track to be a Steelers player when they face the 0-1 New England Patriots on Sept. 20.