A contract standoff in Pittsburgh could land star cornerback Joey Porter Jr. in the Bay Area as San Francisco eyes a blockbuster trade to fortify its secondary.
Some things just seem to go together. Among them, a Pittsburgh Steelers played named Joey Porter.
Porter Sr. once starred for Pittsburgh at linebacker back in the day, but the present day Steelers have another Porter on their roster in star cornerback Joey Porter Jr. They may not have him for long.
Porter is seeing buzz as a potential trade candidate and he and the Steelers appear to some to be on different pages. The San Francisco 49ers could be the beneficiary of a change of scenery for Porter.
The New York Post's Thomas L. Murray discussed a recent report from ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, who shares that Porter Jr. might be a viable option for the 49ers if they choose to make Porter a priority. Here's what Murray wrote on Porter to the Niners.
"The San Francisco 49ers have only played one game this season and are reportedly already looking to bolster their secondary.
According to ESPN NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler, he listed the 49ers as a potential destination for Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., as he and the team have reached 'a tipping point.'
Porter Jr., who was selected with the final pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, has been in a contract dispute with the Steelers for the past year and could now find himself being traded to somewhere new.
Fowler wrote that the 49ers emerge as a potential landing spot for the 2023 NFL Rookie of the Year finalist because they have eight picks available in next year’s draft, as well as $45 million to spend, which would likely result in a contract extension for him."
Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) reacts after a play during the second half of an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesFor how often they are floated, it is rare that we see reports of, "good potential fits," come to fruition. This offseason alone, the Niners are all too familiar with seeing great players that are suggested as potential trade additions ending up staying with their current squad or traded elsewhere. That said, if Fowler is reporting it, you can take the potential seriously.
The Niners have long been viewed as a team that could use an upgrade in the secondary since the offseason. And while they did well in shutting down the Los Angeles Rams in a 27-7 victory in Week 1, you can never have too many good players.
The Niners have options with which they can stack more talent on their team. We will keep an eye on what they choose to do while they can still make trades.
