The Pittsburgh Steelers just created a massive hole in their secondary. Trading Joey Porter Jr to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2027 sixth-round pick and 2028 second-round selection resolved a contract standoff. However, it also removed one of Pittsburgh's most physically imposing outside defenders. The Steelers still have Jalen Ramsey, Jamel Dean, and Asante Samuel Jr. Porter’s departure, though, changes the geometry of their defense. With Aaron Rodgers trying to maximize what could be his final NFL campaign, this is not the time to simply accept a weakened unit. The next move should be finding another big, physical boundary corner who can allow Pittsburgh's pass rush to dictate games. And while Paulson Adebo is not currently available because of injury, he remains the kind of player the Steelers should aggressively monitor.
Pittsburgh's balancing act
Next for the Steelers in Week 4 is Thursday night divisional clash against the Cleveland Browns,. The Steelerss 2-1 AFC North record has been characterized by sharp contrasts and high-wire drama. Mike McCarthy's squad opened the regular season with a 20-13 home victory over the Atlanta Falcons before suffering an ugly 20-3 road loss to the New England Patriots. Pittsburgh responded in Week 3 by edging the Cincinnati Bengals 30-27. That was thanks to Aaron Rodgers' three touchdown passes and Jaylen Warren's 127 rushing yards. Yet the team's impressive start has been accompanied by significant off-field turbulence, culminating in the Porter trade.
The ideal target
If Pittsburgh wants a corner who fits the physical profile Porter leaves behind, Adebo makes almost too much sense.
The 6-foot-1 veteran has already demonstrated that he can handle significant responsibility on the perimeter. She has so far had 63 career starts entering 2026. The New York Giants signed him to a three-year, $54 million contract in 2025 after he established himself as a starting-caliber corner.
His size, length and physical coverage style would make him a natural candidate to replace some of the boundary responsibilities Porter leaves behind. Adebo has enough experience to step into an established defensive structure. He should not really require a developmental runway. His ability to challenge receivers outside would give Pittsburgh more flexibility with its coverage disguises.
There is, however, an important reality: Adebo is currently unavailable. The Giants placed him on injured reserve September 18 after he suffered a knee injury. Under NFL rules, he must miss at least four games before becoming eligible to return. That makes him a potential midseason target rather than an immediate answer. Pittsburgh needs help now, but if Adebo becomes available later and New York is willing to discuss him, the Steelers should be ready to pounce.
Best version of Jalen Ramsey
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The most compelling part of the idea is what another established outside corner would allow Pittsburgh to do with Ramsey. Ramsey is at his most dangerous when he can move around. Pittsburgh acquired him precisely because of that versatility. Losing Porter should not force Ramsey into a less creative role.
Pairing a physical outside defender such as Adebo with Dean and Samuel would give defensive coordinator Patrick Graham more options. Ramsey could spend more snaps disguising coverages or rotating into different alignments.
That flexibility becomes even more valuable because Pittsburgh's front seven remains loaded with game-changing pressure. TJ and Alex Highsmith do not need a corner to shut down every receiver. They need a corner capable of delaying the quarterback's first read for another second or two. That is the domino effect Pittsburgh should be chasing.
Of course, if the Steelers genuinely believe in this roster, the second-rounder should not automatically become untouchable. The right veteran corner could be worth more to this team than a future draft selection that may not contribute for years.
Adebo is not the immediate fix because of his injury. Pittsburgh therefore needs a short-term solution now while keeping an eye on the Giants' situation once he is eligible to return.
The larger principle is straightforward: replace Porter with another boundary corner, not with wishful thinking. The Steelers have too much invested in their pass rush and too much at stake with Rodgers to let the secondary become the weak link. Porter is gone. The defense has to evolve quickly. And if Adebo eventually becomes available, Pittsburgh should already know exactly how aggressive it wants to be.