The Pittsburgh Steelers love their NFL bloodlines, and it is likely why former head coach Mike Tomlin elected to draft Joey Porter Jr. in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. This was an exciting pick for Pittsburgh, as Porter Jr. had thrived at Penn State and the team needed a star cornerback prospect. He has certainly lived up to expectations, and by his third season in 2025, Porter Jr. started to make his mark with a tremendous season that will likely earn him a massive new contract. Beyond his on-field impact, this pick carried extra excitement because his father, Joey Porter Sr., is a beloved figure in Steelers history, having won a Super Bowl with the team and left a lasting legacy in Pittsburgh.
WPXI
Steelers legend Joey Porter Sr. and rising star Joey Porter Jr. sit down for an in-depth interview, sharing stories from their careers, insights on the game, and what it means to carry the Porter legacy in Pittsburgh.
Porter Sr.’s coaching career has also been closely tied to Pittsburgh. He began on Tomlin’s staff as a defensive assistant in 2014 and later served as the team’s outside linebackers coach from 2015 through 2018. After a brief stint in the XFL as a linebackers coach in 2023, Porter Sr. has continued to maintain strong ties to the Steelers community. His experience as both a player and a coach has made him a respected mentor and leader, someone who understands the culture and expectations of Pittsburgh football better than most.
While walking around Radio Row ahead of Super Bowl LX, Porter Sr. was stopped by Pat McAfee for a quick segment on The Pat McAfee Show. During their conversation, he made it abundantly clear that he wants to be back coaching in Pittsburgh on new head coach Mike McCarthy’s staff. His passion for the game, combined with his deep ties to the Steelers organization, underscores why many fans believe Porter Sr. could be an invaluable presence in the building, mentoring young players and helping maintain the culture that has made Pittsburgh a perennial contender.
"I thought about just getting back in the building. I feel like my presence is needed just to be back in the building, but you know, to the powers to be, they know I want to come back home," Porter Sr. said on Wednesday while speaking with McAfee on his show.
As for the specifics, Porter Sr. made it clear that he can coach in any role. Certain positions are filling quickly as McCarthy continues building out his staff and addressing critical needs.
Steph Chambers / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Former Steelers outside linebackers coach Joey Porter Sr give instruction to TJ Watt and Farrington Huguenin during rookie minicamp in 2017.
However, the Steelers are clearly expanding their coaching team, and Porter Sr. emphasized that the powers that be know he is interested and ready to return to Pittsburgh to coach once again.
"I would love to coach," Porter Sr. said. "I never wanted to stop coaching, but you know I can take any role. I just feel like having older Steelers in the building to show how it's supposed to go, what it looks like. I ain't gonna hurt nobody."
At the end of the day, it is clear that Porter Sr. still has a lot to offer the Steelers. He has proven himself as a player, as a coach, and as a mentor, and his passion for Pittsburgh football has not faded.
Steelers Could Hire Joey Porter Sr. Again
With McCarthy building out his staff and the team expanding roles, there is a real opportunity for Porter Sr. to step back into the building and help guide the next generation of Steelers.
G. N. Lowrance / Getty Images
Steelers former linebacker Joey Porter Sr. hoists his sons after winning Super Bowl XL.
Fans know what he brings: knowledge, leadership, and that undeniable Pittsburgh mindset. If the team brings him back, it would not just be a reunion of father and son in the organization, it would be another step in keeping Pittsburgh’s legacy alive and strong.
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