The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to bring back Joey Porter to the organization, but this time as a coach. He will be a defensive assistant under Mike Tomlin coaching staff.
According to ESPN, coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday:
“We are excited about having Joey back with the Steelers family, Joey spent a number of years with Pittsburgh as a player, and now he’s back to assist the coaching staff. We look forward to his efforts and contributions.”
Porter is expected to work with the club’s outside linebackers, Bob Labriola of Steelers Digest said. Porter assisted the Colorado State coaching staff in 2013, according to NBC sports.
Porter played for the Steelers from 1999 to 2006 and is fifth on the team’s all-time sacks list with 60. Throughout Porters career at Pittsburgh, he was a three-time pro bowlers along with one Super Bowl ring in 2005.
Pittsburgh released Porter in 2007, less than two months after Tomlin was hired as coach, saving $6 million and allowing James Harrison to take over at right outside linebacker.
Porter has a huge love for he game of football. When he was a player he played with so much enthusiasm, aggression, passion, and most important he played with his heart. It should be pretty cool to see a Pittsburgh legend like Porter come back and try to make some type of impact to the Steelers defense and team as a whole.