Sources: Steelers' contract philosophy played factor in Porter trade

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The Pittsburgh Steelers traded Joey Porter Jr. this past week, the final straw in a months-long standoff that resulted in the star cornerback playing Sunday for the Dallas Cowboys.

As for why the trade was necessary, sources pointed to the Steelers' general philosophy of avoiding second-year guarantees as the main reason.

In fact, Pittsburgh did offer Porter a contract that, with some work, could have been acceptable to keep him with the team. The Steelers offered Porter a contract deal that reached $28 million in average annual value -- a pitch that would've been the starting point for a deal to be consummated.

There was significant money guaranteed for injury, but not fully in the second year, as the Steelers held firm on a stance they have used often over the past few years. They are among the few teams to avoid guarantees past Year 1, joining Green Bay and Cincinnati among those the clubs that (mostly) take that stance.

But Steelers star pass rusher T.J. Watt received a second-year guarantee, as did wide receiver DK Metcalf, though his guarantee came in a trade. Declining to do so for Porter led to the contract impasse.

Porter, who now will play out his rookie deal in Dallas, wanted the security of a long-term contract rather than a large one-year payment. By the time this season started -- with Porter still ramping up after sitting out training camp -- he knew he would have been unlikely to play for Pittsburgh without a new contract.

Porter was, however, willing to do so for a fresh start with a new team. The Cowboys and Detroit Lions were the two biggest suitors, with Dallas getting him after the Steelers accepted a future second-round draft pick as part of the compensation. That was Pittsburgh's only serious trade offer.

Porter does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Houston Texans. Team executive vice president Stephen Jones said Friday that the Cowboys "actually think Joey Porter will get snaps."