ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday that a handful of teams have begun making inquiries about the Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback's availability.
The Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions were specifically named among the teams that have called.
"A handful of teams, including the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions, have begun making inquiries about the availability of Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., league sources told ESPN," Schefter reported.
The Steelers are willing to listen, but sources say they'd want a strong compensation package to actually part with him.
Both Teams Have A Real Need
Dallas has been dealing with injuries at the position, with starting cornerback Cobie Durant sidelined for Week 3 against Baltimore with a hamstring injury.
The Cowboys have already aggressively rebuilt their defense over the past 13 months, acquiring Quinnen Williams, Rashan Gary, and Kenny Clark in trades while spending first-round picks on Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence, but they remain thin at cornerback specifically.
Detroit's situation is arguably more urgent.
The Lions had allowed the second-most passing yards in the NFL through two weeks, and they're currently without safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, both on the physically unable to perform list, along with cornerback Avonte Maddox, who is out for the season with a foot injury.
A Trade Might Be Porter's Best Path Forward
Porter has yet to play this season while working through what's been described as a prolonged "ramp-up" process from a back injury, missing a third straight game against Cincinnati.
Contract talks between Porter and Pittsburgh reportedly stalled over guarantee structure, even after the Steelers offered a deal worth $27 million annually, a number that would rank him seventh among cornerbacks in average salary.
Pittsburgh has a longstanding policy of shutting down extension talks once the regular season begins, which is part of why a trade could end up being the cleanest resolution for both sides.
Porter said this past week that he will "definitely" play for the Steelers again this season, regardless of how the contract situation resolves.
