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Joey Porter Jr. best trade fits: Why Cowboys make sense, two NFC North teams could be in line to make offer

Contract disputes between Joey Porter Jr. and Pittsburgh continue to escalate as the 26-year-old cornerback remains sidelined for Week 2 after also sitting out the season opener.

The fourth-year defender, originally selected 32nd overall out of Penn State in 2023, has sought an extension for months, but the Steelers remain hesitant to provide extensive guaranteed money over the long term. Porter's time away included a stint on the physically unable to perform list during training camp attributed to a back issue, an explanation head coach Mike McCarthy indicated was tied to his contract.

During current practice preparations, Porter was listed as limited Wednesday for conditioning reasons before shifting to a back designation on Thursday.

While Porter has formally requested a trade, Pittsburgh has yet to initiate or field serious negotiations. League insiders suggest a package pairing Porter with a late-round Day 3 selection could net a second-round pick in return.