NFL Players Who Could Use a Change of Scenery After Steelers Trade Joey Porter Jr. to Cowboys

Late Wednesday evening, the Dallas Cowboys made a move to bolster their secondary by trading for Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr.

For Porter, the deal means a fresh start and another opportunity to secure a second contract before the 2027 offseason.

The 26-year-old has been seeking a new deal since early in the offseason. Dallas will not give him a new contract upon his arrival, according to Clarence Hill Jr. of DLLS. The Steelers have traditionally declined to negotiate contracts during the regular season, whereas the Cowboys have shown a greater willingness to pay players they view as core pieces.

"Definitely felt disrespected. Definitely felt undervalued," Porter told reporters on Thursday. "But that's old news now."

In that context, the change of venue should benefit Porter greatly. He's not the only NFL veteran who could use greener—or at least different—pastures in 2026.

Here's a look at eight more players who could use a change of scenery, why a move could benefit them and which landing spots might suit them best.

Jerry Jeudy has shown that he can be a very good starting receiver in the past. He had a pair of 800-yard seasons with the Denver Broncos, and he made the Pro Bowl after a 1,229-yard campaign with the Cleveland Browns in 2024.

There was a time when it seemed that Jeudy was firmly in Cleveland's long-term plans, too. The Browns traded for Jeudy in 2024 and immediately signed him to a three-year, $52.5 million extension. Now, though, it feels like another move would be best for the Alabama product.

The Browns used early picks in April's draft on wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston . They represent Cleveland's future at receiver and, in many ways, they're already pushing out Jeudy. Through the first four weeks of the season, he has caught just five passes, and he was only targeted once across Weeks 2 and 3.

At only 27 years old, Jeudy still has an opportunity to reestablish himself as a high-end receiver, but he's probably not going to do that in Cleveland. He would benefit greatly from a team that has an established and consistent quarterback, along with a long-term need at wide receiver.

Ideal Landing Spots: Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers

Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals

Like Jeudy, Marvin Harrison Jr. is a first-round pick who has never quite played up to his draft status for the team that selected him.

The Arizona Cardinals took the Ohio State product fourth overall in 2024, and while he had a strong rookie season (885 yards, 8 TDs), he has regressed since.

Harrison has also watched as fellow receiver Michael Wilson has become Arizona's top perimeter target. Through Week 3, Harrison had caught just four of nine targets for 73 yards.

According to ESPN's Dan Graziano , executives around the league are wondering if the Cardinals could make the 24-year-old available. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler , though, he might only command a high Day 3 pick in a trade.

Arizona probably won't want to move Harrison at that price point, but he should relish the prospect of a fresh start.

Unless something changes dramatically, Harrison risks being labeled a disappointment for as long as he remains with the Cardinals. He's not going to establish himself as a true No. 1 receiver in Arizona either.

Landing with a team that lacks a true top option could be Harrison's best bet for reestablishing his NFL stock.

Ideal Landing Spots: Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Dallas Cowboys have made several trades over the past calendar year, and they haven't been all about acquiring talent. They cashed in 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith as part of their bid for Quinnen Williams.

Unfortunately, Smith isn't the only early 2023 draft pick who has disappointed the Cowboys. Second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker has appeared in 15 more games in Dallas than Smith did, but he hasn't made much of an offensive impact.

Schoonmaker has caught just 51 passes for 459 yards and three touchdowns, and he's now firmly cemented behind starting tight end Jake Ferguson. He's played just 24 percent of the offensive snaps this season.

Now in the final year of his rookie deal, Schoonmaker is unlikely to establish himself as a starter in Dallas, and he's not going to earn a lucrative free-agent contract with modest numbers. He would benefit from joining a team that either lacks a No. 1 receiving tight end or has lost one to injury.

Ideal Landing Spots: Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles

NFL Trade Block Big Board Entering Week 4 🏈

In 2024, the Carolina Panthers traded up to take wide receiver Xavier Legette with the last pick in the first round. He was expected to become a go-to target for quarterback Bryce Young, but he's been anything but an impact receiver.

Legette recorded just 49 catches for 497 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie. The following offseason, the Panthers used a first-round pick on Tetairoa McMillan, who quickly became the No. 1 option that Legette wasn't.

The South Carolina product had just 363 yards and three touchdowns in his second season, and he had just two catches through the first two weeks of 2026. Legette is currently dealing with a knee injury and missed Week 3, but he simply hasn't been a big part of the offense since McMillan arrived and Jalen Coker emerged as the No. 2 option.

Legette may simply not be cut out to be a true No. 1 receiver, but he could still establish himself as a high-end complementary target. He should hope to land with a potent passing offense that would make use of his 4.39 speed, 6'1", 220-pound frame, and physical playing style.

Ideal Landing Spots: Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles

Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts

Porter isn't the only player who got a new opportunity this week. On Monday, the Minnesota Vikings dealt quarterback and 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy to the New York Giants.

According to Fowler , the Giants did not inquire about Indianapolis Colts backup Anthony Richardson before acquiring McCarthy.

Fowler also reported that the Colts are not particularly interested in moving Richardson, although a chance to play in a Kyle Shanahan- or Sean McVay-style offense could appeal to the quarterback.

The 2023 first-round pick entered his third NFL season behind Daniel Jones on the Indianapolis depth chart. However, the 24-year-old still possesses considerable physical upside and has time to get his career back on track.

However, Richardson is unlikely to draw significant interest as a prospective starter in 2027 free agency. Landing with a team facing uncertainty at quarterback next offseason could give him a chance to reestablish himself and compete for a starting job.

Ideal Landing Spots: Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings

Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge, Kansas City Chiefs

With the Kansas City Chiefs sitting at 3-0 and looking a lot like the perennial contenders they've been for the better part of a decade, there probably aren't many players eager to leave the franchise. However, Felix Anudike-Uzomah should be interested in finding a team that can give him a better opportunity.

The 24-year-old was the 31st overall pick in the 2023 draft, but he's never made much of an impact in Kansas City. He played less than a third of the defensive snaps in each of his first two seasons, missed all of 2025 with a hamstring injury, and had his fifth-year option declined by the Chiefs.

While the Kansas State product has started all three games this season, he has played just 47 percent of the defensive snaps and has logged just two tackles and a sack. It seems like only a matter of time before rookie second-round pick R Mason Thomas becomes the primary complement to George Karlaftis on the edge.

Anudike-Uzomah would be well-served to land with another playoff-caliber team that can give him a prominent rotational role and a clearer path to a long-term role than he'll find in Kansas City.

Ideal Landing Spots: Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears

Unlike the Chiefs, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are not playing like 2026 contenders. They remain winless entering Week 4 and just lost starting quarterback Baker Mayfield to a dislocated thumb for the next few weeks .

The Buccaneers' situation feels a lot different than it did just before the start of the season when Vita Vea agreed to a one-year, $30 million contract extension. That agreement came weeks after the defensive tackle requested a trade, citing his lack of a new contract.

While the 2018 No. 12 overall pick is under contract through 2027, there's no guarantee he'll play out his contract in Tampa. The Bucs could save $11 million in cap space by trading him in the spring or $24 million by trading him after June 1. That could be a real possibility if the team continues to flounder and looks to rebuild in the offseason.

With the Buccaneers' season trending in the wrong direction, Vea could welcome an opportunity to join a playoff contender. He will turn 32 in February, but he remains a top-tier interior defender who could help a team pursuing a Super Bowl.

Ideal Landing Spots: Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Brian Thomas Jr. was spectacular as a rookie for the Jacksonville Jaguars, racking up 1,282 yards and making the Pro Bowl in 2024. However, he has been far less productive in the team's offense since head coach Liam Coen took over in 2025.

Thomas had just 48 catches for 707 yards and two touchdowns last season. This year, he's become even less involved while watching Parker Washington establish himself as Jacksonville's WR1.

With Thomas sliding into the WR3 role behind Washington and Jakobi Meyers, the 23-year-old may want a fresh start somewhere else. The 2-1 Jags may prefer to keep him for their 2026 run, of course, but that hasn't put an end to the trade speculation.

Bleacher Report's Alex Kay recently examined five landing spots that could help rejuvenate Thomas' career.

While most receiver-needy teams could benefit from adding Thomas, he should be looking to land with a team that lacks a clear No. 1 wideout. Finding one that can also make a playoff run this season would be a bonus.

Ideal Landing Spots: Las Vegas Raiders, San Francisco 49ers