As Jerry Jones' 84th birthday nears, Cowboys' trade for Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. is a fitting early birthday present

Sometimes, Jerry Jones sticks to talking a big game.

Other times, the Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager puts his money — and draft capital — where his mouth is.

After Jones told reporters on Sept. 20 that "there's nothing more dangerous than an old man with money," the Cowboys have upgraded their secondary.

Schematically, first-year defensive coordinator Christian Parker's case for hiring came in part on the basis of how he elevated the Philadelphia Eagles secondary in 2024 and 2025. His talent collection there included 2024 first-round cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and 2024 second-round safety Cooper DeJean .

The Cowboys showed a commitment to upgrading their secondary when they traded up to select safety Caleb Downs 11th overall in the spring. There was still need for more talent if Dallas' defense was going to survive while its high-powered offense thrived. Changing the Cowboys to a 3-4 base defense for the first time in 13 years was going to require some personnel adjustments.

Jones' looming 84th birthday, and the expiration of star receiver George Pickens ' contract this spring, were each reasons to lean into a 2026 contention window.

"We're right on top of it," Jerry Jones told Dallas radio station 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday when asked about Porter. "We're very aware of the moving parts out here. We should be. And communication is a big part of it … communication at all levels. At my level, at Stephen's level, at the scouts' level. We all have contacts and this is a time where you really can have discussions and they could be productive.

"Yes, there are conversations going on."

Since the Steelers selected Porter in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, he's started 41 games, deflected 31 passes and intercepted three balls. Porter combined for 165 tackles and three tackles for loss in Pittsburgh.

He didn't play the first three weeks of this season after negotiations reached a point of contention, instead sidelined with what the injury report described as a back issue.

The Steelers ruled Porter out for Thursday night's game against the Cleveland Browns . He increasingly seemed available. And the Cowboys, whose Rio de Janeiro implosion against the Baltimore Ravens included a 27-yard completion in the final seven seconds of the game, increasingly needed help. Their starting core was light. Injuries had left their secondary still thinner.

And the NFC East appears wide open. The New York Giants , since beating the Cowboys in Week 1, have lost starting quarterback Jaxson Dart and top pass rusher Brian Burns to season-ending injuries. The Philadelphia Eagles lost to a third-string quarterback on Monday night in Chicago . The Washington Commanders are 1-2 and dealing with an injury to QB Jayden Daniels .

Dallas sits at 1-2 with a need to improve in several areas. But its offense is explosive, and the cost to acquire Porter shouldn't hurt their immediate window. So a Cowboys team that spent several years quiet on the in-season trade market continued its trend of activity that began last year with a deadline acquisition of defensive tackle Quinnen Williams . A Cowboys team that's become familiar with Steelers decision-makers from recent trades for Pickens and left tackle Broderick Jones hit speed dial to run it back one more time.

On Oct. 13, Jones will turn 84. Wednesday night, as September became October for the Steelers and Cowboys, Jones gifted himself an early birthday present.