A 6’2″ Corner with a Vikings Connection Sits in a Tricky Spot. Does a Trade Make Sense?

Generally speaking, teams aren’t keen about moving on from a 26-year-old corner who boasts good size (6’2″ and 195 pounds), speed (4.46 forty), and a strong track record of NFL success.

What does Pittsburgh decide to do with Joey Porter Jr?

He’s moving into his fourth season and has a Vikings connection. DB Coach Gerald Alexander used to work for the Pittsburgh Steelers, coaching Porter in his time in the Steel City. Moreover, Brian Flores used to work in Pittsburgh; while he didn’t overlap with the defender, Flores will have a strong understanding of Pittsburgh’s process alongside plenty of connections inside their building.

Long-and-Strong CB with Vikings Connection Unhappy in PIT

Brooke Pryor is a Steelers writer who does her work for ESPN. She offered an article earlier in the day describing what’s taking place.

Some background: “Porter, who was placed on the PUP list after aggravating a back injury during the team’s mobility workout on the first day of training camp, is in line for an extension as he enters the final year of his contract. He was present for some OTAs and mandatory minicamp but didn’t participate in drills during the portions open to media. He has also been at training camp practices, often standing on the sideline with defensive back Jalen Ramsey, who was activated off the PUP list Monday.”

After relaying the thoughts from HC Mike McCarthy alongside teammates Jalen Ramsey and Patrick Queen, Pryor illuminates how Pittsburgh does business: “As an organization, the Steelers have long maintained that they don’t negotiate contracts once the regular season starts. Despite the impending deadline, a source told ESPN that there hasn’t been meaningful progress on extension talks. The Steelers also haven’t made or received any trade calls on Porter, the source added.”

The Steelers are a proud, principled organization that will stick to their guns. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re shopping Porter (something Pryor addresses). That doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t listen if a call(s) gets made.

Right now, the Vikings boast Bryon Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, James Pierre, and Chuck Demmings as the lead corners. Next year, Rodgers will get to free agency if there’s no new deal. Murphy seems likely to be kept around due to his March restructure, a decision that makes the dead cap charge next year prohibitive with a cut.

Moving forward, then, appears to be a situation where Mr. Murphy will be in the Twin Cities for a minimum of 2026 and 2027. Ideally, Demmings develops into a strong outside corner who can someday be a CB3. Think the role that Akayleb Evans was drafted to fill before falling short.

Otherwise, Pierre is somewhat of a mystery. He played well last season but is older, sitting at 29 going into the season. Do his legs and lungs allow him to keep playing high-level football for much longer?

Trading for Joey Porter would be about improving now and in the future.

Of course, there’s the issue of cost (something being discussed in Twitter debates). Presumably, needing to hand over a lucrative deal on the back end of a trade lowers the compensation for trading for him. Is there a sweet spot where both sides are sufficiently uncomfortable yet enticed to pull off a swap?

Already, the Vikings have brought a different Steelers corner to town when they signed Pierre back in March. He has looked good in his role as the CB3 who can help on specials.

Joey Porter is 26.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.