The Steelers officially made cornerback Joey Porter Jr. a healthy inactive in Week 1, and make no mistake, that move means the trade talks are heating up, big time. We’re well beyond posturing here, folks. The hangup is all about his contract, with Porter in the final year of his rookie deal, earning $3.92 million this season with a $4.92 million cap number. He and Pittsburgh never got close on an extension, especially after guys like our own Devon Witherspoon and the Patriots’ Christian Gonzalez inked deals that shot them to the top of the league’s highest-paid corners list. Porter is reportedly seeking north of $30 million for his next contract.
The Price Tag for a Playmaker
A young, difference-making corner getting traded mid-season isn’t an everyday thing, but it happens. Last season, Sauce Gardner went to the Colts for two future first-round picks and a young player, showing just how valuable these guys are. Porter, a 6-foot-2, 193-pound defensive back, hasn’t made a Pro Bowl and has only three interceptions in three seasons. But don’t let that fool you, his 31 passes defended are a seriously respectable number and show he’s constantly making plays on the ball. His contract status will likely lower the price compared to Gardner’s haul, but with both sides dug in, a trade feels more likely now than ever before. So, who’s actually picking up the phone?
Detroit Is Calling, And They Need Help
The Detroit Lions are at the top of the list for a reason. First off, it’s a scheme match. Porter is a man-coverage corner, and the Lions were third in the league in man-coverage rate last year at 32%. Even though that rate dropped to 26% in Week 1, Sumer Sports charts it as a secondary short-handed issue. They’ve already cut Terion Arnold, and Ennis Rakestraw is dealing with a chronic injury problem. They literally started D.J. Reed and Rock Ya-Sin against the Saints, with Roger McCreary and rookie Keith Abney filling in, and New Orleans nearly pulled off a second-half comeback. Yikes.
The Lions also have the cash. They just restructured Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell’s deals and are sitting pretty with almost $39 million under the cap this season. GM Brad Holmes isn’t afraid of a bold move, and word on the street is Detroit has already called about Porter. They’ve got all their 2027 draft picks, plus a little extra, so affording a potential first-rounder and more isn’t out of the question. This is a Lions team that truly believes they can be in the playoff mix, and they can’t afford their secondary to break down late in the season again. The motivation to upgrade is absolutely there.
What this means for Detroit, heading into Week 2, is simple: they’re either going to make a splash that changes their season, or they risk repeating past mistakes in their secondary. Keep an eye on those trade rumors, because something big could be brewing!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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