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The 2026-27 NFL season is officially here, as the New England Patriots are set to travel to Lumen Field on Wednesday to compete against the Seattle Seahawks in a highly anticipated Super Bowl 60 rematch. While the offseason trade extravaganza is sadly a thing of the past, fans can look forward to riveting in-season deals that could significantly alter the NFL landscape. Regarding a disgruntled 26-year-old Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback viewed as a potential trade candidate, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox believes that the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders could be the two franchises vying for his services before the Nov. 10 trade deadline. “The Pittsburgh Steelers seem to believe they can make another run at the playoffs with Aaron Rodgers and new head coach Mike McCarthy. Unless their perception changes, they probably won't be eager to move starting cornerback Joey Porter Jr,” Knox wrote Wednesday. “NFL Network's Ian Rapoport recently told The Pat McAfee Show that he still believes an extension could get done before the start of the season. Porter would rank higher on this list if it was more clear that he could be acquired.” “However, trading for the 26-year-old would be costly, both in terms of compensation and the ensuing contract that would be required to keep him. His market could be limited to playoff hopefuls with cap space to spare. Potential suitors: Cowboys, Commanders.” There’s no question that Porter’s frustrating contract extension is beginning to take a toll on him ahead of the new season. While speaking to ESPN’s Brooke Pryer last Tuesday, the Penn State product didn’t rule out the possibility of him starting the year on the sidelines as he awaits a new contract, stating that he would have ‘talk to the guys upstairs and my agents about that.” NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo recently reported that the Steelers made an offer to Porter, but the two sides ‘are not close at this point’. If Porter and Pittsburgh fail to reach an agreement soon, it would make sense for Dallas and Washington to pursue a trade for the up-and-coming CB. During a recent appearance on 105.3 The Fan, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones noted that the franchise has the financial flexibility to make a move and added that Dallas would focus on improving defensively if they become buyers during the season. Although Porter is still a work in progress, his advantageous 81-inch wingspan combined with his impressive closing speed makes it easy for him to jam WR’s at the line of scrimmage, succeed in jump ball situations, and cover ground rapidly while in recovery mode; which should appeal to a Cowboys squad clearly interested in improving on the defensive side of the ball. The former second-round pick finished the 2025-26 campaign with 52 total tackles and one interception in 14 contests. With the Commanders’ CB depth still being questionable despite adding Rasul Douglas to the fold, it wouldn’t be asinine to witness them enter the Porter sweepstakes should he become available. More NFL: Cowboys predicted to trade Pro Bowl defender to Raiders for Maxx Crosby in blockbuster deal Bears named landing spot for $123 million 115-sack Steelers star LB - Eagles named top landing spot for former Cowboys $21 million starter