FRISCO, Texas — New Cowboys cornerback Joey Porter Jr. said Thursday that wide receiver George Pickens gave him the full rundown on how the Dallas Cowboys operate as soon as Pittsburgh traded him to Dallas.
Pickens and Porter were teammates with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2023 through 2024. The Steelers traded Pickens to Dallas in May 2025 and Porter on Wednesday night, sending the cornerback to the Cowboys for a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick.
Pickens was one of the first former teammates Porter heard from after the call.
“They were just really embracing me with open arms. It was like, you’re going to love it here, the facility, the people, the food, the culture,” Porter said. “So they accepted me with open arms, and I’m excited about that. So, man, let’s get to work.”
Offensive tackle Broderick Jones, another former Steeler, was part of the welcome. Porter said all three still think of themselves as Steelers guys.
“Man, just him and Broderick, we’re all Steelers guys. We came from the Steelers, so they were just happy for me. Like I said earlier, they were just open arms,” Porter said. “He basically was giving me the whole rundown of how things operate here and the culture. So the things he was telling me, I’m excited to be here. I’m willing, I’m ready. So that’s mainly it.”
Joey Porter Jr. And George Pickens Share A Contract Situation
Porter is in the final season of his rookie contract and arrived without the extension he sought in Pittsburgh. Pickens is also without a contract beyond this season, a point raised in the question to Porter. Porter said the difference for him now is the value Dallas has shown in early talks.
“Yeah, kind of, most likely that, just more of the value. I didn’t feel like it was really that over there, and I feel like they’re showing me that they value me over here so far with the talks that I had,” Porter said. “So I feel like that’s all I need to really show them I can do what I do.”
He wants to finish his career in Dallas, Porter said, and is ready for franchise-tag drama if it comes.
“I mean, I’m down with it if they are. I want to finish my career here,” Porter said. “So hopefully I just perform like I know how to perform and do what I do, and I’m going to let everything take care of the rest.”
Porter is in a hotel room for now. He is not rooming with Pickens, he said.
Pickens caught seven passes for 82 yards on 11 targets in Sunday’s 34-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, all season highs. Offensive coordinator Klayton Adams said Thursday that Dallas goes into every game looking for ways to get Pickens one-on-one.
Joey Porter Jr. Wants To Bring Swagger To The Cowboys Defense
Porter described himself as a lockdown corner and said his family has been Dallas fans their whole lives, his father included.
“I mean, I feel like I’m a lockdown player at the end of the day. I feel like I’m a ball player that could get anything done that the coaches need for me, and I’m gonna do whatever I need to for my teammates,” Porter said. “And yeah, I’m really just excited at the end of the day. I’m really just trying to hold my smile back.”
Porter said he almost cursed when he described what he brings.
“Man, I’m just bringing that swagger to the defense, that attitude, that culture that they’re looking for, that they know I can bring to the team. And I’m just excited about that and bringing some juice to the defense,” Porter said.
Porter carries no injury designation for Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans. Kickoff at Reliant Stadium is set for noon CT on Fox.
