yahoo
The ongoing saga surrounding Joey Porter Jr. has taken yet another twist, as one NFL analyst suggests the Pittsburgh Steelers could resolve the situation by trading the cornerback to the Detroit Lions of the NFC North.
On Tuesday, Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports published a set of three mock trade proposals that all involve Porter landing in Detroit. The first proposal is straightforward: Pittsburgh sends Porter to the Lions in exchange for second- and third-round draft picks.
The second scenario has the Steelers packaging Porter along with a third-round pick to acquire Detroit's 2027 first- and sixth-round selections.
However, the third and most intricate proposal is where the speculation intensifies. In that deal, Pittsburgh would send Porter, wide receiver DK Metcalf, and a 2027 fourth-round pick to the Lions in return for Detroit's 2027 first-round pick and wide receiver Jameson Williams.
DeArdo explained his reasoning: "Let's start with the Steelers getting their coveted first-round pick and the Lions getting Porter. There's also the layer of the Lions getting draft compensation from Pittsburgh after giving them a first-round pick (the Steelers would probably offer a lower draft pick since they are trading the better receiver, at least on paper)."
He also noted that in this scenario, the Lions likely wouldn't send a draft pick back to Pittsburgh because they would be absorbing at least part of Metcalf's substantial contract.
Metcalf's tenure in Pittsburgh has been underwhelming, and a change of scenery could be beneficial, especially if it pairs him with Amon-Ra St. Brown in Detroit.
This proposed package appears to be a win-win for both franchises. Porter would join a Lions secondary in need of cornerback help, Metcalf—who has struggled mightily early this season—could rejuvenate his career in Detroit, and the Steelers would acquire a star receiver in Williams along with a first-round pick to aid their rebuilding efforts.
Key Analysis
From a strategic standpoint, the third trade scenario offers the most compelling narrative. The Steelers have long coveted a first-round pick, and acquiring one while also landing a dynamic playmaker like Jameson Williams could accelerate their rebuild. Meanwhile, the Lions would add a talented cornerback in Porter and a physical receiver in Metcalf, though they would need to manage his contract. The trade would also reunite Metcalf with a proven offensive system in Detroit, potentially unlocking his full potential.
For continued Steelers coverage, including injury updates and trade rumors throughout Pittsburgh's 2026 season, follow TheSteelersWire on X and like their Facebook page.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers blockbuster mock trade sends Joey Porter Jr., DK Metcalf to NFC North.
Originally reported by yahoo.