Chicago Bears insider pours cold water on Joey Porter Jr trade with Steelers

While the Chicago Bears impressed mightily in their 59-37 win over the Carolina Panthers, their defense left a lot to be desired. If the franchise remains an offensive juggernaut, calls for a blockbuster defensive trade will only grow louder.

It’s still only Week 2, meaning who exactly is available hasn’t been made fully clear. There will obviously always be speculation. But franchise are still figuring out the makeup of their roster. Furthermore, teams want to see where they stand before trading away talent.

If the Bears were to trade for a defensive star, they could realistically add to any position in the unit. But after allowing Panthers quarterback Bryce Young to throw for 361 yards and three touchdowns, fans have been calling for an addition at cornerback.

One premier option appears available for trade. But actually finalizing a deal is easier said than done.

Joey Porter Jr. trade difficult for Chicago Bears

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. missed with Week with a back injury. But with his contract set to expire after 2026, it has been speculated that his absence is more based on a lack of a long-term deal. If both sides can’t come to an agreement, the Steelers may be forced to trade him.

If the Bears are serious about trading for a cornerback, Porter would be atop their wish list. However, the draft compensation required to swing a deal may take Chicago out of the running, via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

“I can’t imagine the Bears would want to pay the high level of compensation required to acquire Porter if the Steelers trade him,” Biggs wrote. “They could always find a way to make the salary cap work if they really wanted to, but I’d be surprised if Porter was traded for less than a first-round draft pick. There are questions at cornerback when you look to the future for the Bears. But there are more pressing needs on the defensive line.”

Over his three years with the Steelers, Porter has put up 165 tackles, 31 pass breakups and three interceptions. Only 26-years-old, he would be a building block in the secondary assuming an extension came with the trade.

If the Bears continue to falter on defense, the idea of a trade will only get more tantalizing. But Chicago will be cautious with their resources.

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