Steelers Part Ways With LB Coach Joey Porter

At his Wednesday press conference, Mike Tomlin said changes would happen and today was step one.

The team announced that they would not be renewing the contract of outside linebackers coach Joey Porter.

Tomlin released a statement that read:

”I have informed outside linebackers coach Joey Porter that we will not renew his contract. These are difficult decisions when it comes to someone like Joey who has meant a lot to this organization as both a player and coach. I want to thank Joey for his coaching efforts over the past five years on our defensive staff. We wish him the best in his future coaching career.”

Porter has received criticism over the last couple of years for the lack of development and improvement of their teams outside linebackers.

On a personal level this couldn’t have been an easy decision to make for Tomlin considering his close friendship with Porter. The two also share a bond because of the friendship of their two sons, Joey and Dino.

In all likelihood, this won’t be the last change on the team’s coaching staff.