Dan Campbell, head coach of the Detroit Lions, finally pulled back the curtain on the Joey Porter Jr. trade saga, confirming what many speculated: his team was absolutely in on discussions for the young cornerback. This wasn’t some quiet rumor floating around the league; Campbell openly admitted that general manager Brad Holmes was heavily involved in trying to land Porter Jr., who ultimately got shipped off to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick.
The “We Were In On It” Confession
It’s not every day you hear an NFL coach lay out their cards like this, but Campbell was surprisingly candid about their pursuit. He said, “Brad was, he’s been on it for a while. That’s been ongoing and everything’s got to align right, you know. The Cowboys did what they wanted to do, but we were very much in on it.” That quote tells you everything you need to know about how much the Lions wanted Porter Jr. and how frustrated they must be to have missed out. This kind of transparency from a head coach about trade targets is rare, and it really solidifies just how serious their interest was in upgrading that cornerback room.
Detroit’s Defensive Nightmare
Why the desperation for a player like Porter Jr.? Just look at the stats. Detroit’s pass defense is, frankly, a disaster right now. They rank at or near the very bottom of the league in multiple critical categories. We’re talking 32nd in the league for yards allowed through the air. Thirty-second! Their opponents are carving them up with a 27th-ranked passer rating allowed, and their success rate against the pass is a dismal 29th. It’s ugly out there. They’ve already tried shaking things up by benching Rock Ya-Sin for both Roger McCreary and Ennis Rakestraw, and they even cut Terrion Arnold this offseason. Clearly, whatever they’ve done so far hasn’t worked. Campbell gave the usual coach-speak when asked if they’re still hunting for talent, saying, “Just like any year, it’s non-stop. Brad’s constantly looking to upgrade this roster at every position. If we can find somebody that we feel like fits us and can help us and the value is right, we will.” Until they actually find that someone, though, expect the criticism of their biggest weakness to keep piling up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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