Cowboys' Jerry Jones addresses Joey Porter Jr. contract, possible future trades, confidence in coaches

Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones didn't wait until later in the fall to address a need, as he acquired cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2027 sixth-round draft pick and a 2028 second-rounder ahead of Week 4 of the 2026 season. 

During a Friday morning appearance on Dallas sports radio station 105.3 The Fan, Jones discussed landing Porter at this stage of the campaign. 

Jerry Jones compares Joey Porter Jr. trade to landing George Pickens

"He’s got some different aspects to him that are pluses as a player, as an athlete, his skill," Jones said about Porter, per Todd Archer of ESPN. "So we hope that this is not only an improvement in just generally our personnel, but hope it can really be one that he really finds his level of abilities or level to perform on the field. I’d hope we mirror the George Pickens move that brought him in." 

Of course, Jones was referencing how the Cowboys acquired Pickens from the Steelers in May 2025. The wide receiver then recorded 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns last season, and Jones ultimately retained Pickens' rights for 2026 via the franchise tag. 

Earlier on Friday, Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer suggested that Porter could be available when the 1-2 Cowboys play at the 0-3 Houston Texans this coming Sunday. Porter didn't play for the Steelers over the season's first three weeks due to an alleged back issue, but it's worth noting that he is willing to feature for the Cowboys while in the final campaign of his existing contract. 

Unsurprisingly, Jones confirmed he has interest in signing Porter to a multiyear agreement. However, Jones added that it "takes two to tango here" to get a deal done. 

Meanwhile, Jones was asked about how Schottenheimer, quarterback Dak Prescott and others associated with the franchise have praised the owner for "the organization’s win-now approach" this year. 

"He’s accurately got it pegged," Jones said about comments offered by Prescott, according to Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News. "It is a belief of where we are and what we could do right now. It’s factual that we’re playing and getting players in here that can affect us against Houston this weekend."