The Pittsburgh Steelers have been a part of some of the biggest news stories of the 2026 offseason thus far -- mainly involving former head coach Mike Tomlin stepping down following the 2025 season. After 19 years, he decided to walk away from the organization, which was a move that was probably necessary as change has been needed in Pittsburgh for quite some time now. Many within the fan base has wanted Tomlin gone for years and a new era is finally here in the Steel City.
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Former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a postseason matchup between Pittsburgh and the Houston Texans.
Two former players that were fairly outspoken about the Steelers needing to make some changes within the coaching ranks were Ben Roethlisberger and James Harrison. Harrison was very critical about Tomlin and spoke down on his character, while Roethlisberger often just suggested that the coach might need a change of scenery. A lot of former players in Pittsburgh are defensive of Tomlin, and one of those players is Joey Porter Sr. He was recently on Not Just Football where he spoke with Cam Heyward about a few things, and he brought up the issue he has with Harrison.
"I told him, I said, 'How can you say he is not a great coach when everything good that has happened to you in your career as happened under his watch?'" Porter said. "Like your Deebo name, when I played with you, you was James Harrison. Called you Silverback. Nobody knew you. Because under [Bill] Cowher, they cut you three times. You was looked at as a special teams player. Under Mike, three or four Pro Bowls, Defensive Player of the Year, played in two championships, paid you over $50 million. You think you did all of that? You think the coach didn't have his hand in making that player?"
Porter reminded Harrison of how his career began as he couldn't stay on a roster, and he didn't really flourish until he was playing under Tomlin. All of his career achievements came while playing for the head coach, so it is a bit bizarre to take shots at him whenever he finds the time to.
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Steelers' James Harrison runs onto the football field before a game in the Steel City of Pittsburgh.
Harrison has gone as far as to question Tomlin's Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy, and he has also leaked private conversations between him and his former coach. Porter explained that the hatred stems from the 2013 offseason when Harrison was a free agent. He had told Pittsburgh and Tomlin that he wanted to come back to play for the Steelers in 2013, and the franchise wanted him to take a pay cut to do so. The two sides could not agree on a reworked deal, and he was released and wound up signing with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Harrison blames Tomlin for that whole situation because he told the coach he wanted to come back, but the coach apparently said that Harrison did not want to come back. There seems to be good reason for Harrison to have a bit of animosity towards his former coach, but the amount he speaks ill of him in the media lately is a bit ridiculous.
Steelers' Joey Porter Sr. Questions Decisions From His Former Teammates
Porter spoke out against Harrison and Roethlisberger for some of their recent comments disparaging Tomlin. Porter called out Roethlisberger by completely attacking his character and stating how he acted as a teammate, while he was just perplexed by Harrison's actions.
"Why would you take a shot at the guy who changed your life?" Porter asked.
Harrison was made a starter as soon as Tomlin took over the job in 2007, as Porter was actually the player that was cut.
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Former Steelers great linebacker, Joey Porter Sr. during his time coaching on the Pittsburgh staff with Mike Tomlin.
Harrison took his spot. Porter was cut as soon as Tomlin came to town, yet he still has appreciation for the head coach, unlike Harrison.
What do you think about Porter's comments? Let us know in the comments below!
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