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Pittsburgh Steelers: Top 10 linebackers in franchise history

By Samuel Teets

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Devin Bush of Michigan reacts after being chosen #10 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Devin Bush of Michigan reacts after being chosen #10 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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4 Nov 2001 : Joey Porter #55 of the Pittsburgh Steelers signals during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Ravens won 13-10. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire/Allsport
4 Nov 2001 : Joey Porter #55 of the Pittsburgh Steelers signals during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Ravens won 13-10. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire/Allsport /

6. Joey Porter (1999-2006)

Joey Porter was vicious with the Steelers. The team selected him in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft. Like most of the great linebackers on this list, Porter won a Super Bowl with the Steelers.

The outside linebacker was in his prime as a starter by the 2005 season, which culminated in a 21-10 win against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL. Porter’s final season came with the Steelers in 2006 when the team finished a disappointing 8-8. It was also Bill Cowher‘s final season as a head coach.

When Porter left Pittsburgh, he still had plenty left in the tank. He went on to record 17.5 sacks with the Miami Dolphins in 2008 and tallied 38 sacks in his post-Steelers career. Still, Porter is primarily remembered as a Steeler. He spent eight of his 13 seasons in Pittsburgh and had his most successful days in the black and gold.

While with the Steelers, Porter recorded 60 sacks, 10 interceptions and 14 forced fumbles. He’s also credited with 376 official combined tackles, but we don’t have the tackling data from his first two seasons since tackles weren’t officially tracked until 2001.

Considering that he didn’t start as a rookie but was a full-time starter in his second season, Porter likely recorded over 400 tackles with the Steelers. There could also be more forced fumbles since that stat also wasn’t official until 2001.

Porter’s play earned him recognition around the league. He made three of his four Pro Bowl appearances while he was with the Steelers. He was also selected as a First Team All-Pro in 2002 and a Second Team All-Pro in 2004, 2005 and 2008. The 2008 selection came when he was with the Dolphins. Porter was also selected as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Second Team All-2000s Team.

Following his retirement, Porter returned to the Steelers as a linebacker coach for four seasons.

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