The Pittsburgh Steelers are no strangers to controversy, but the past week and a half has taken things to a whole new level - and this time, it’s not about what’s happening on the field.
The latest drama centers around former Steelers linebacker Joey Porter Sr., who didn’t hold back when calling out Ben Roethlisberger and James Harrison for their public criticism of head coach Mike Tomlin. Porter didn’t mince words, labeling Roethlisberger a “bad teammate” and even a “bad person.”
That shot across the bow sparked a wave of responses from former teammates, with some rallying behind Roethlisberger and others siding with Porter. One of the most notable voices defending Big Ben was longtime offensive lineman David DeCastro, who spent his entire nine-year NFL career protecting Roethlisberger’s blind side.
“Everyone’s entitled to their opinion,” DeCastro said during an interview on 93.7 The Fan. “I guess negativity seems to sell these days, but I loved playing with Ben, for Ben, protecting him.”
DeCastro isn’t just any former teammate - he’s a two-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler who lined up with Roethlisberger from 2012 through 2020. He knows what it’s like in the trenches with No. 7 and had high praise for the quarterback’s competitive fire.
“I just loved his energy,” DeCastro added. “Ben’s the ultimate competitor, no matter what it is.”
DeCastro isn’t alone in his support. Former center Maurkice Pouncey and offensive tackle Zach Banner also came to Roethlisberger’s defense this past week. But while some are backing the future Hall of Famer, others are rallying behind Porter - and not quietly.
Mason Rudolph, who spent several seasons behind Roethlisberger on the depth chart, chimed in on social media, writing “Go off @jportersr55” in response to Porter’s appearance on Cam Heyward’s podcast. Former Steelers safety Mike Mitchell added, “Peezy talking that talk,” showing his support for Porter’s blunt honesty.
What we’re seeing unfold is a rare public split among former Steelers - a franchise known for its tight-knit locker room and “keep it in-house” culture. But this latest flare-up suggests that not all wounds from years past have healed. And while some may view these comments as players defending Mike Tomlin, the collateral damage has clearly landed on Roethlisberger and Harrison.
This kind of back-and-forth isn’t typical for the Steelers brand. For decades, Pittsburgh has prided itself on stability, loyalty, and a sense of family - especially among its alumni. But this recent surge of podcast jabs and social media shots feels like a departure from that tradition.
Then again, maybe this isn’t as new as it feels. Not everyone in that Super Bowl XL-winning locker room got along, and the same could be said for plenty of championship teams.
Chemistry doesn’t always mean friendship. And as we’re seeing now, even decades later, some of those relationships are still complicated.
Whether this is just a temporary dust-up or the beginning of a longer feud among Steelers greats remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the conversations that used to stay behind closed doors in Pittsburgh are now playing out for the world to hear.