The Detroit Lions have reached out to the Pittsburgh Steelers about a potential trade for cornerback Joey Porter Jr., an NFL insider reported Monday, as Detroit looks to bolster a secondary that showed cracks in its season opener.
“I can tell you that I know that the Lions have approached the Steelers,” Jeff Risdon said. “I don’t know how receptive the Steelers were. I don’t know what the Lions offered, if anything. I know that they have talked. I got that from a reliable source from the Pittsburgh side. Will anything happen? I don’t know.”
The inquiry comes one day after Detroit escaped with a 31-30 overtime win over the New Orleans Saints. The Lions built a 21-0 lead only to watch the Saints claw back and force extra time.
New Orleans quarterback Tyler Shough threw for 410 yards in the loss. Detroit’s defensive backs struggled to contain the Saints’ passing attack once the game tightened.
The Lions now face a difficult road test against the Buffalo Bills. Coach Dan Campbell’s staff will spend the week evaluating whether the current cornerback group can hold up against another potent offense.
Porter did not play in Pittsburgh’s 20-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday because of a back injury. The 26-year-old missed all of training camp while on the physically unable to perform list and remains in the final season of his rookie deal.
The Steelers and Porter failed to agree on a contract extension before the regular season. Pittsburgh’s policy is not to negotiate new deals once the year begins, leaving a trade as one possible resolution.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler had already identified Detroit as one of five logical landing spots for Porter before Risdon’s report surfaced.
“The Lions were looking for corner help even before they released Terrion Arnold in June. Detroit can spend the early weeks of the season evaluating how D.J. Reed, Keith Abney II, Roger McCreary and others play together,” Fowler wrote.
“Detroit has ample salary cap space — around $38 million as of Sunday, according to OverTheCap.com — but has committed more than $1 billion in extensions for star players, which could lead to a cap crunch very soon. Detroit also could decide to pay 2027 free agents Sam LaPorta (tight end) and Brian Branch (safety).”
“Detroit likes man-coverage corners, and Porter definitely qualifies.”
Porter, a Penn State product, was selected by Pittsburgh in the second round with the 33rd overall pick in the 2023 draft. The Steelers obtained that selection in an earlier trade that sent receiver Chase Claypool to Chicago.
As a rookie he finished with 43 tackles, 10 pass breakups and one interception in 17 games and earned a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. He started all 16 games in 2024 and recorded 70 tackles, seven pass breakups and another interception.
In 14 games last season he posted 52 tackles, 14 pass defenses, one interception and one sack. For his career he has started 41 of 47 games and totaled 31 passes defensed through three seasons.
Detroit is also without starting safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, both of whom opened the year on the physically unable to perform list and are not expected back until at least Week 5. Adding a proven outside corner such as Porter would give the Lions another veteran presence in the back end.
Any deal would likely require Detroit to part with significant draft capital. League sources have indicated Pittsburgh’s asking price begins at a first-round pick plus an additional mid-round selection, with some reports suggesting the Steelers could seek even more.
Whether the two sides can find common ground remains unclear. The Lions have the cap flexibility in the short term and a scheme that appears to fit Porter’s strengths.
For now, the conversations have at least begun.
