Photo via CBS Sports

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

, who will not dress for Pittsburgh in Week 2 after also sitting out the opener. The 26-year-old, selected 32nd overall in 2023, has sought an extension for months, but the Steelers are hesitant to provide the long-term guarantees reserved strictly for their elite talent.

While designated with a back ailment during training camp, head coach Mike McCarthy indicated the absence was financial, and practice reports this week alternated between non-injury conditioning and back troubles. Porter has formally asked for a trade, and an ESPN insider speculated he might never suit up for the franchise again, though Pittsburgh has neither initiated nor fielded serious proposals.

An insider suggested pairing Porter with a late-round choice could command a second-round pick in return.

The 6-foot-2 Penn State product is coming off an exceptional third campaign where he established himself among the league's top lockdown defenders. According to Pro Football Focus, Porter surrendered a 42 percent completion rate as the primary cover man last season, trailing only Quinyon Mitchell among defenders seeing at least 50 targets.