Steelers' James Harrison Fires Direct Response To Joey Porter Sr: "I've Earned Everything I Was Given"

It has been a fascinating offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers, though not for the typical reasons. February is normally a slower stretch around the NFL once the Super Bowl wraps up, but that hasn’t been the case in Pittsburgh. The buzz began after former linebacker Joey Porter Sr. made pointed remarks about former star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during an appearance on the podcast Not Just Football with Cam Heyward. His comments quickly stirred conversation across the Steelers’ extended family, eventually drawing attention from several former players, including James Harrison. 

Like Porter, Harrison has never shied away from speaking his mind, a trait that’s become even more visible since he launched the Deebo & Joe Podcast with former teammate Joe Haden. After Mike Tomlin stepped down as head coach, Harrison offered both praise for Tomlin’s leadership, as well as criticism for his lack of postseason success. He acknowledged how Tomlin kept the team disciplined, motivated, and competitive year after year, creating a culture that demanded toughness and accountability. At the same time, Harrison didn’t shy away from pointing out that regular season dominance only goes so far, and the team’s struggles in the playoffs left unanswered questions about strategy, decision-making, and whether certain players were used to their fullest potential.

Porter weighed in on Harrison’s comments, saying that Harrison owes Tomlin more credit than what he has been given and stressing the respect the coach earned during his tenure.

"Dude, do not let sh*t spill out your mouth like Mike [Tomlin] wasn't the guy for you, like Mike didn't put you on, like we didn't do things for you in the building that help you go here," Porter said.

Porter added that Tomlin was the reason that Harrison was successful, claiming Harrison never would've turned out to be the player that he did if Bill Cowher had stayed in Pittsburgh. On the most recent episode of Harrison's podcast, he finally offered a response to Porter.

"He didn’t give me the name Deebo. Brett Keisel gave me the name Deebo. He didn’t give me Pro Bowls. He didn’t make me the only undrafted player to win Defensive Player of the Year and get paid $50 million, again, implying that it was given to me undeservingly, it wasn't," Harrison said. "Cowher cut me three times. I would’ve cut me. I've earned everything I was given, even the cuts."

While much of the offseason drama has centered on Porter’s remarks about Roethlisberger, the back-and-forth involving Harrison has been just as compelling. 

Harrison’s unfiltered responses give fans a rare glimpse into the mindset of one of Pittsburgh’s most dominant defenders, showing the tension between personal achievement and the influence of coaching. The discussion isn’t just about ego, it’s about legacy, respect, and the nuances of how players view their own careers. 

Porter and Harrison both bring passion and perspective, and while Roethlisberger’s situation grabbed headlines, the Harrison storyline is rich with insight, personality, and Steelers history.

Steelers Fans Hear Numerous Players Discuss Porter-Roethlisberger Saga

Harrison has become the latest former Steelers to weigh in on the biggest story of the offseason so far. Over the past week, several former players including; David DeCastro, Zach Banner, Maurkice Pouncey, Duck Hodges, Tyler Matakevich, Mason Rudolph, Mike Mitchell, and Mike Adams have shared their thoughts, with some siding with Porter and others defending Roethlisberger. The debate has been lively, showing just how passionate former Steelers players are about their time in Pittsburgh, but it also highlights lingering tensions and differing perspectives on accountability and legacy.

No matter where fans or former players stand, the public sparring isn’t the most flattering look for the organization. While these voices reflect the locker room culture of years past, the days of these veterans running the team are long gone. As the Steelers move forward into a new era under Head Coach Mike McCarthy, it will be a relief for fans, players, and the organization when this episode of the Steelers soap opera is finally behind them.

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