The Washington Commanders sit at 2-5-1 and remain winless on the road heading into Thursday night’s NFC East matchup against the New York Giants. With another lost season taking shape, the team is already looking ahead to the 2027 free-agent market.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox has identified the Commanders as a top destination for Dallas Cowboys cornerback Joey Porter Jr., one of the most sought-after players expected to hit the open market next spring. Porter carries a projected value of a four-year, $110 million deal.
The Cowboys acquired Porter from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 1 in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick. The 2023 second-round selection (No. 32 overall) is in the final season of his four-year, $9.86 million rookie contract.
“Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. could have earned a new contract with the Steelers this past offseason, but he never seemed happy with Pittsburgh’s offer,” Knox wrote.
“He missed the beginning of the season while dealing with a back injury and was eventually traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick. Porter may fall a bit short of that mark on the open market. He’s shown flashes in Dallas, but he hasn’t turned the Cowboys’ defense into a playoff-caliber unit. He’s also currently battling an ankle injury. That said, Porter should still be the top cornerback on the market if Dallas doesn’t lock him up first. He’s a terrific cover corner who is just a notch below the elite tier—he allowed an opposing passer rating of only 57.1 last season—and he’ll only turn 27 in July.”
The Commanders enter the 2027 offseason with $90.7 million in projected salary-cap space, according to Spotrac, though that figure will shrink once major decisions are made. Those include a potential extension for quarterback Jayden Daniels and the future of All-Pro wide receiver Terry McLaurin, whose $97 million contract makes him a possible cap casualty.
Washington’s recent free-agent history has been uneven. Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw signed a three-year, $45 million deal in 2025 and has recorded just one sack across two seasons while missing time with a season-ending knee injury. Edge rusher Odafe Oweh received a four-year, $96 million contract in 2026 and has posted 16 tackles, four sacks, five tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery through eight games.
Those mixed results have not diminished interest in a player of Porter’s caliber. As an NFC East rival, the Commanders represent a direct threat to the Cowboys if Dallas fails to lock him up.
Porter has shown flashes in Dallas but has not transformed the Cowboys’ defense into a consistent playoff unit. An ankle injury has further clouded his immediate availability. Still, his coverage skills and age keep him among the top corners expected to hit free agency.
The Commanders’ substantial cap flexibility gives them a realistic path to pursue him. While extensions for Daniels and decisions on McLaurin will shape the roster, adding a young, high-level corner from a division rival would address a clear secondary need.
Dallas holds the first chance to re-sign Porter. If the Cowboys pass or lowball him, Washington stands ready to pounce. The rivalry between the two franchises makes any such signing especially pointed.
Porter turns 27 in July, entering what should be the prime of his career. A four-year deal near the projected $110 million mark would represent a major investment, yet the Commanders’ cap situation makes it feasible if they prioritize the position.
For now, the focus remains on Thursday’s game against the Giants. Beyond that, the Commanders’ offseason planning already includes a potential run at a Cowboys star.
