There was a time when player disputes weren’t handled with subtweets or passive-aggressive pressers—they ended in parking lots and blackjack tables. Literally. Ask Joey Porter Sr., the former Steelers linebacker known for settling scores with his fists. One infamous night in Las Vegas, he spotted a longtime rival at a casino table and did what old-school linebackers did—he swung first. Fast forward to 2025, and the Steelers’ locker room has a very different energy. But as Aaron Rodgers keeps the franchise hanging, one Pittsburgh veteran can’t help but imagine how those old Steelers would’ve handled the silence.

Let’s agree on one thing—the game isn’t just less physical between the whistles. It’s also less confrontational off the field. Joey Porter Sr., a Steelers icon from a more volatile era, embodied that old-school intensity. And this week, a former teammate joked that if Porter were still in the locker room today, Aaron Rodgers might have already gotten a taste of it.

On the May 24 episode of the Mark and Kaboly Podcast, former Steelers safety and Super Bowl winner Mike Logan imagined what Porter would do in the current climate, especially with Rodgers dragging out his decision on joining Pittsburgh. He said, “These teams are a little different from what we had. We would have been like, you coming or not? Joey Porter sitting in the locker room. Dude, you might have seen this guy, out in Vegas, seen him and punched him in the face.” That may sound crazy to you, but perhaps not to Rodgers. Remember, he’s also from the same era.

Also, to be fair, that threat’s not just theoretical. In 2007, Porter famously punched Bengals lineman Levi Jones during a blackjack game at the Palms in Las Vegas—an extension of their long-running on-field feud. In 2017, while serving as a Steelers assistant coach, Porter was also caught on video grabbing a bouncer outside a nightclub. Charges were eventually dropped, but his rep as an enforcer—on and off the field—was already well established.

That kind of heat doesn’t exist in today’s Steelers locker room. And that may be part of the problem.

Will Aaron Rodgers really join the Steelers?

Since his departure from the Jets, Rodgers has been linked to two teams. The Steelers have openly welcomed him. The Vikings, meanwhile, have remained cool, focused on developing rookie J.J. McCarthy. Still, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently revealed that some NFL execs believe Rodgers may be “waiting out the Vikings,” though it seems unlikely. That leaves Pittsburgh—currently QB-hungry and hoping to pair Rodgers with Mike Tomlin’s defense and an offense in flux. The visit happened. The chemistry seemed right. And then? Silence.

Rodgers has cited personal matters—including cancer battles within his close circle—as reasons for the delay. Understandably, that’s complicated things. But with OTAs approaching, patience is wearing thin. Even legendary Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger entered the conversation, forecasting the team’s record based on who starts under center. With Rodgers? “11-6,” he said. With Mason Rudolph? “7-10.” It’s not just a guess—it’s a warning.

And while Mike Tomlin has publicly said the Steelers are prepared to start with whoever’s in camp, the underlying message is clear: This team is built to win now, not later. And Rodgers, like it or not, remains the missing piece. Veterans from the past are now weighing in. Coaches are publicly hedging. And fans? They’re starting to wonder if Rodgers will show at all—or if he’s just buying time for another offer.

At some point, the Steelers need a binding decision. Because while this might not be the Joey Porter era anymore, even the most patient teams eventually stop waiting.