Dan Campbell reveals if Lions came close to trading for Cowboys' Joey Porter Jr.

As the contract dispute involving the Pittsburgh Steelers and Joey Porter Jr. dragged on through late September, stories repeatedly linked the talented cornerback with the Detroit Lions. 

However, the situation changed when Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones acquired Porter for a 2027 sixth-round draft pick and a 2028 second-rounder earlier this week. While speaking with reporters on Friday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell revealed whether or not general manager Brad Holmes came close to landing Porter before the 26-year-old ended up in Dallas. 

Lions were "very much in on" a potential Joey Porter Jr. trade

"Brad was − he’s been on it for a while," Campbell said about a possible trade for Porter, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. "And it was – that’s been ongoing, and everything's got to align right, and the Cowboys did what they wanted to do. But we were very much in on it."

While the Lions are 2-1 heading into their Week 4 "Sunday Night Football" game at the 1-2 Carolina Panthers, the numbers show that Detroit could use help for its pass defense. According to ESPN stats, the Lions began Friday ranked last in the NFL with an average of 299.3 passing yards allowed per game, 31st with an average of 416.7 total yards surrendered per contest and last with 31.7 points scored by opponents per game. 

"Just like any area, man, it’s non-stop," Campbell added about the Lions' pursuit of an addition for their secondary. "Brad’s constantly looking to upgrade this roster at every position. If we can find somebody that we feel like fits us, that can help us and the value’s right, we will."

Who could the Lions go after? 

For an article published on Friday morning, ESPN's Dan Graziano mentioned that the Green Bay Packers could make cornerback Keisean Nixon available before the trade deadline arrives on Nov. 10. 

"The (1-2) Packers...did not expect to have a losing record at this point (or probably any point) of the season," Graziano wrote. "They're dealing with massive injury issues, particularly on the offensive line -- the type of thing that can make it very tough to right the ship after a difficult start. Nixon is 29 and in the final year of his contract. He has experience as a kick returner as well as cornerback, and an acquiring team would be on the hook for only a prorated portion of his $4.3M 2026 salary."

Whether or not the division rivals could agree to a trade this fall was unclear as of the first Friday of October.