Joey Porter Jr. is the latest player, in a line of too many, to make his way out of Pittsburgh.
The cornerback was traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2027 sixth-round draft pick and a 2028 second-round pick.
On the Pomp and Joe Show Thursday, Joe Starkey went over the list of players that have “quit” on the team over the years.
Antonio Brown – “He left practice and never returned,” said Starkey.
Brown skipped meetings and practices after a blowup before a Week 17 game in 2018. He was traded before the next season.
LeGarrette Blount – “Walked off the field during the game.”
The running back was released in November 2014 and, after clearing waivers, re-signed with the New England Patriots winning a Super Bowl that year
James Harrison (2nd stint) “Falls asleep in meetings, leaves games at halftime when he’s scratched from the lineup.”
Harrison was upset of his decreased playing time in 2017, was released and signed with the Patriots. He appeared in Super Bowl LII but the Pats lost that year.
Melvin Ingram – “fakes an injury.”
The linebacker didn’t want to play in Pittsburgh anymore and was traded to Kansas City in 2021 for a sixth-round pick.
Kenny Pickett – “tells Tomlin he won’t compete with Russell Wilson.”
The 2022 first-round draft pick requested a trade and was dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles in March 2024.
Diontae Johnson and George Pickens – “They literally quit on plays during games.”
Johnson was traded to the Carolina Panthers before the 2024 season and Pickens was traded to the Cowboys in May 2025, along with a 2027 sixth-round pick for a 2026 third-round pick (turned into QB Drew Allar) and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Starkey says if you want out of Pittsburgh all you have to do is to “cause a little trouble” and make it known you want out and you’re gone.
