Aaron Rodgers Opens Up About Steelers Trading Joey Porter Jr. to Cowboys

The Pittsburgh Steelers traded Joey Porter Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-rounder.

Pittsburgh lost to the Cleveland Browns after the trade, while Dallas beat the Houston Texans. 

After losing to the Browns on Thursday Night Football, Aaron Rodgers was asked about the blockbuster trade. Here is what the future Hall of Famer said: 

“You gotta ask the defensive guys, they're probably around him more often. You know, I thought Joey might play this week based on his practice stuff. But, you know, we wish Joey well.”

In 14 games for the Steelers last season, Porter Jr. had one interception, 14 passes defended, one sack and 35 solo tackles.

Porter Jr. had three interceptions and 31 passes defended in 47 games with the Steelers. He leaned on his dad and former Steelers player and coach, Joey Porter Sr., for counsel during the process.

While navigating a combative contract negotiation that failed to produce an extension by the Steelers' regular-season deadline, Porter Jr. had also been dealing with a back injury since first reporting the aggravation during a mobility workout on the first day of training camp. He missed all of training camp and the preseason on the physically unable to perform list.

Porter Jr. was activated off the list on roster cutdown day and he had been a limited participant in every practice before this week. He also left practice early two weeks ago when he reported another flare-up of his back injury, but the "back" injury description was gone from the practice report by the following week.

The Steelers lost to the Browns by a final score of 27-24. Rodgers threw three touchdowns and two interceptions. He was sacked five times.   

The 42-year-old Rodgers finished with 299 passing yards. He went 22/40 through the air. Pittsburgh had 361 yards on offense but gave up 372 yards. 

One of the best players in NFL history, Rodgers will retire from the NFL after this season. Peyton Manning won a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos in his final NFL season. Can Rodgers do the same this season with the Steelers? Probably not, as the Steelers have many flaws. 

Rodgers had 3,322 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns and seven interceptions last season. Many people thought Rodgers would play well again this season since he knows Mike McCarthy's system well.

Thus far, Rodgers has been average. He has seven passing touchdowns, four interceptions and 999 passing yards through four games. He's completing only 57.5% of his passes. 

The Steelers face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5. Pittsburgh's offensive line needs to protect Rodgers better moving forward. Otherwise, the NFL legend could get injured soon. The oldest active QB in the NFL can't keep getting sacked like this.

Coming into Thursday night's game, Rodgers had been sacked eight times through the first three contests. The five sacks given up by the Steelers offensive line is a big reason why they're headed back to Pittsburgh with a 2-2 record.