Joey Porter Jr. is getting a fresh start with the Dallas Cowboys, but former NFL cornerback Asante Samuel Sr. believes the young defensive back may have been better off staying with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dallas acquired Porter from Pittsburgh in a trade this week after a long contract dispute kept him off the field for the first three games of the 2026 season. The Cowboys sent the Steelers a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick for the 26-year-old cornerback. Soon after the deal became official, Samuel shared his view on X, warning Porter that leaving Pittsburgh does not automatically mean things will work out better in Dallas. Porter now has a chance to put the entire contract situation behind him and focus on his new team, with the Cowboys preparing to face the Houston Texans in Week 4.
Why did Asante Samuel Sr. question Joey Porter Jr.’s move to the Dallas Cowboys?
Samuel did not hide his thoughts after the trade. The former New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles cornerback wrote on X, “IDK… Joey Porter Jr. should’ve thugged it out in Pittsburgh. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Let’s see how this plays out.” His message came shortly after the Steelers and Cowboys completed the deal.The comment is interesting because Porter had spent the offseason trying to reach a new contract with Pittsburgh. The Steelers selected him in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and he quickly became an important part of their defense. According to the NFL, Porter played 47 games and made 41 starts during his three seasons in Pittsburgh. He finished that stretch with 165 tackles, three interceptions and 31 passes defended.Porter was entering the final year of his rookie contract when the dispute with Pittsburgh continued into the regular season. He also dealt with a back issue during training camp and missed the Steelers’ first three games. The NFL reported that his status had also been connected to conditioning as the situation developed.Now, instead of trying to settle the issue in Pittsburgh, Porter will have to prove himself with Dallas. The Cowboys made the move because they needed help in the secondary, with injuries affecting the cornerback group. The Dallas Cowboys said Porter gives the team a young outside corner who already has 41 NFL starts.
What does Joey Porter Jr.’s move mean for the Dallas Cowboys?
Porter arrives in Dallas with plenty to prove, but he also brings three seasons of starting experience. In 2025, he started all 14 games he played and recorded 52 tackles, one interception and a team-high 14 passes defended for Pittsburgh, according to the Pittsburgh Steelers.The Cowboys are 1-2 heading into their Week 4 meeting with the Houston Texans, and their secondary has already dealt with injuries. Dallas has also gone without an interception through its first three games.Porter could make his Cowboys debut against Houston on Sunday, October 4, although his playing status will depend on how quickly he settles in with the team and how coaches assess his condition. He has said his back feels better after missing the opening games of the season.For Porter, the trade creates a completely different situation. He is no longer dealing directly with the Steelers’ contract talks, but he also does not have a new long-term deal with Dallas. That means his performance could become an important part of what happens next in his career.Samuel’s warning, then, is not necessarily about whether Porter can succeed in Dallas. It is a reminder that changing teams does not guarantee an easier path. Porter now has an opportunity to show that the move was the right step for him, beginning with his new life in Dallas.
