Mike McCarthy speaks with Pittsburgh Steelers media
Screengrab from Ashley Liotus
Mike McCarthy took a page out of Aaron Rodgers’ book recently when he got snippy with a Pittsburgh Steelers reporter.
The Steelers have been without disgruntled star cornerback Joey Porter Jr. this season, and he doesn’t appear on track to return anytime soon. Porter was listed as having a back injury during his Week 1 absence, with McCarthy recently claiming it flared up again last week. The Steelers, however, have since removed Porter’s back issue from the injury report, although he’s still listed as questionable for Week 3.
While speaking to reporters Thursday afternoon, McCarthy said Porter was scheduled “to do some more today, so we’ll see how that goes” after being limited yesterday. Ashley Liotus of WTAE followed up by asking whose decision it was for Porter to be limited yesterday?
Here is the full Q&A with Mike McCarthy on Joey Porter Jr. today. @WTAE pic.twitter.com/xfVvnnqAje
— Ashley Liotus (@AshleyLiotus) September 24, 2026
“We have a plan for every one of our players. So, he did the work that was planned on,” McCarthy answered.
The reporter took that to mean it was the team’s decision for Porter to be limited at practice, considering McCarthy noted they have a plan for all of their players.
“We’re not gonna play this game anymore about every little question,” McCarthy fired back.
The problem is it appears the Steelers are playing a game with Porter. Has he been suffering from a back injury? Or is Porter watching games from the sideline this season because he hasn’t reached a contract agreement with the Steelers?
Porter and the Steelers reportedly engaged in contentious contract negotiations throughout the offseason, right up until their Week 1 game against the Atlanta Falcons. After failing to reach an agreement, Porter has been inactive, and the Steelers have offered limited information on any timeline for his return. Reporters should keep asking for regular updates on Porter, even if McCarthy tries to avoid giving them.