By admin 
Last season, the Philadelphia Eagles won the NFC East in back-to-back years for the first time in two decades. This year, they are looking to break another NFC East curse and become the first team since Philadelphia in 2004 to win three consecutive division titles.
Read more Cooper Webb, Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Join Team Tedder Husqvarna For 2027
The Eagles currently sit atop the division, tied with the New York Giants at 2-1, but the Dallas Cowboys shook up the division in a major way, acquiring cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
Porter was drafted back in the 2023 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, following in the footsteps of his father, who won a Super Bowl with the franchise and is a member of the Steelers Hall of Honor. Porter has developed into a strong outside corner, but with his contract negotiations reaching a standstill, the Cowboys swooped in and snatched him for a second-round pick, with a hefty extension likely coming.
When Porter last faced Philadelphia in 2024, he allowed five receptions on seven targets for 69 yards. Since then, he posted a top-20 PFF coverage grade in 2025 and established himself as a top-tier outside cornerback. He will now return to Pennsylvania, where he played his college football, to face the Eagles annually as part of the NFC East. Most of the yards Porter allowed against Philadelphia in 2024 came against A.J. Brown, who has since departed.
The Porter trade marks the third major trade the Cowboys have made within the last two seasons involving significant draft capital. Dallas traded Micah Parsons for Kenny Clark and two first-round picks, traded a first-round pick for Quinnen Williams, and has now sent a second-round pick for Porter, all three moves coming on the defensive side of the ball.
Read more Nathan MacKinnon scores twice, fights in wild Avalanche season-opening win against Kings
Philadelphia Can’t Afford to Stand Pat
With the Cowboys clearly in win-now mode, the question remains whether the Eagles’ front office will make a splash deal of its own to address a roster with some clear weaknesses. Although Howie Roseman has completed five in-season trades during the regular season since 2020, only one of those moves brought in a confirmed starter: the acquisition of Kevin Byard from the Tennessee Titans. Additionally, none of those trades involved a draft pick higher than a fourth-rounder.
While the Eagles currently hold the division lead, they shouldn’t sit on their hands. The first three games of the season, and particularly the embarrassing loss to the Bears, have put a magnifying glass on the team’s weaknesses, with the play of the safeties and the interior of the offensive line emerging as major concerns.
The Cowboys getting Porter is an attempt to address a clear weakness and add another impact player to a defense that already features significant talent. The Eagles have their own areas that need addressing, and if they want to keep pace in what looks to be a competitive division, they may need to follow suit and make a meaningful move of their own.
Read more Padres pitch, slug way to NL Wild Card Series sweep over Cubs; Brewers next
Copyright 2026 Athlon Sports. All rights reserved.
This story was originally published September 30, 2026 at 10:29 PM.