Joey Porter Jr. didn’t even suit up for Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons, and suddenly, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ rising star cornerback is smack dab in the middle of some wild trade rumors. After failing to reach a long-term extension with the team before the season kicked off, his absence was a red flag, but now it seems Pittsburgh is truly open for business. Can you believe it? We’re barely into the season, and one of the league’s top young talents might be on the move.
Pittsburgh’s Risky Bet Without Its Star CB
While Porter Jr. sat out, the Steelers still managed to pull off a 20-13 victory over the Falcons in Week 1. Their defense was stout, allowing a measly four receptions to wide receivers all afternoon. It almost makes you wonder if Pittsburgh felt they could afford to play hardball. But even with a win under their belt, the heat is on. Over the last two days, trade talks around the former second-round pick have exploded. On Sunday, NFL insiders Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport dropped a bombshell, reporting that the Steelers were now actively open to trading Porter. That’s a huge shift, and it tells you everything about where things stand between the team and its young corner.
The Lions Are Calling, But Kansas City’s GM Is Plotting
As if things weren’t spicy enough, Jeff Risdon reported on Monday that the Detroit Lions have already been in contact with the Steelers about a potential Porter trade. But hold up, because there’s another heavyweight in the mix. Ian Rapoport, making an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, named the Kansas City Chiefs as “another team to watch.” And there’s a good reason why. The Chiefs just saw their rookie Mansoor Delane go down with a shoulder injury on Monday night after picking off Bo Nix. That’s a brutal blow, and Rapoport didn’t mince words about what it means for Kansas City. He flat out said, “Delane is hurt,” and then dropped the kicker, “Brett Veach will make a trade. He’ll be risky, he’ll make a trade.” When a GM is described as “risky” by Rapoport, you know a big move is brewing.
As we head into Week 2, all eyes are on Porter Jr.’s practice status. If he remains a limited participant and misses a second straight game, those trade rumors are going to turn into a full-blown inferno. This whole situation is wild, and it could completely reshape a contender’s defense very, very soon.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
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