Joey Porter Critiques Ben Roethlisberger’s Leadership
Ben Roethlisberger, once the driving force for the Steelers, didn’t exactly win over his teammates, according to former player Joey Porter. In a recent chat with current Steeler Cam Heyward, released on Wednesday, Porter described Roethlisberger as a divisive figure who had “broken the brotherhood” within the team.
Porter remarked, “It’s crazy that we don’t talk about it… Everything he did was a violation. He’s just not a good teammate.” He implied that many in the Steelers organization were aware of this but chose to support Roethlisberger, primarily because he led them to a Super Bowl victory. “So, do I love my quarterback? Yes, but is he a good person? No,” he noted.
While Porter didn’t delve into all the specifics that made Roethlisberger a difficult teammate, he recalled a minor incident. He mentioned how former defensive lineman Aaron Smith had asked Roethlisberger for an autograph for his family, only to be turned down by the then-rookie—a refusal that apparently sparked a tense meeting.
“So what do you think happened to that monster once all the veterans were gone?” Porter questioned. He observed that Roethlisberger was somewhat unapproachable during his time as an assistant defenseman under Mike Tomlin from 2014 to 2018.
Current and former Steelers players seemed to rally behind Porter, sharing their thoughts in response to the Instagram clip. Backup quarterback Mason Rudolph simply stated, “@jporter55,” alongside a bullseye emoji, while former safety Mike Mitchell added, “Pee-Gee is the one talking like that.”
Former offensive lineman Mike Adams supported Porter, saying, “Amen!” as he criticized Roethlisberger’s impact on the team. Porter acknowledged the contributions of teammates that had helped improve Roethlisberger, especially as he now stands on the cusp of potential Hall of Fame induction next year.
In a separate comment in December, Roethlisberger suggested that the Steelers should consider shaking things up by moving on from Mike Tomlin, hinting at a need for a fresh start within the organization.
Interestingly, Roethlisberger attempted to walk back those comments later, but the implications lingered, especially concerning his relationship with Porter and perhaps others. Porter stated, “He’s come to an age where he just gives you a C.” He hinted that Roethlisberger might not have the qualities needed for a leadership role, suggesting that if he weren’t a captain, he wouldn’t have garnered any votes at all.
