Joey Porter Jr. Shares Telling Detail on Omar Khan's Trade Call With Michael Irvin 1
Joey Porter Jr. started the 2026 season with an uncertain future after he and the Pittsburgh Steelers couldn’t agree on a long-term contract extension. Because the former second-round pick was entering the final year of his deal, the team decided to move on. That contract standoff led to one of the biggest blockbuster trades of the young NFL season.
He spent his first three seasons in Pittsburgh. He was a regular starter, playing in 47 games and starting 41 of them. He also broke up 31 passes during his time there. However, his future with the Steelers became unclear. He missed the first three games of the season due to a contract dispute. The trade to the Dallas Cowboys finally ended the drama.
Omar Khan Delivered the News to Joey Porter Jr.
During a conversation with Dallas Cowboys legend Michael Irvin, Porter revealed that Steelers general manager Omar Khan called to tell him he had been traded.
“I was actually at the movies. I was at the movies when I got the call. It was late at night, like 11:30,” said Porter. “My GM, the Steelers GM called me and told me the exactly play and what was going to happen following. And man, there was a smile on my face. It was a bittersweet moment. But I was just so excited to be a Dallas Cowboy.”
Joey Porter Jr. told Michael Irvin that Omar Khan was the one that called him to tell him he was being traded to the Cowboys #Steelers #NFL https://t.co/uOSE99Xlwi
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) October 6, 2026
The detail provides another look at how directly Khan was involved in the decision to move on from one of Pittsburgh’s most prominent defensive players. Porter was not simply informed by his agent or another member of the organization. According to his account, the news came from the general manager who completed the deal.
Dallas Cowboys, Joey Porter Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers
Aug 13, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) watches the game against the Green Bay Packers during the second half at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
The Steelers received a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round selection in exchange for Porter. Separate reporting indicated that Khan contacted Cowboys vice president of player personnel Will McClay to restart negotiations before the two sides finalized the trade.
Pittsburgh Made Its Decision to Trade Joey Porter Jr.
Porter and the Steelers were already bumping heads over a new contract before the trade. He was going into the final year of his rookie deal, and the two sides just couldn’t agree on an extension.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) celebrates an interception with Joey Porter Jr. (24) against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Trading Porter let Pittsburgh clear up that distraction before the season started. It also landed them a future second-round pick for a player who likely would have walked in free agency anyway.
Still, Khan personally delivering the news makes the move feel more definitive. The Steelers drafted Porter with the first pick of the second round in 2023, but the relationship did not result in a second contract.
Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan
Oct 16, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan looks on during warmups before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Porter has a massive chance to prove he belongs in the Cowboys’ secondary for years to come. If he plays well in Dallas, Steelers GM Omar Khan will look bad. Fans and media in Pittsburgh will crush Khan for walking away from contract talks and making this trade.
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