The Steel City Insider: With Jim Wexell & Jeremy Hritz
Andrew Brandt: “Something Got Personal” With Joey Porter Jr. & the Steelers
Former Green Bay Packers executive and NFL agent Andrew Brandt joins Steel City Insider for a fascinating conversation about Joey Porter Jr., Aaron Rodgers, Mike McCarthy and the way the Pittsburgh Steelers do business. Brandt explains why he believes “something got personal” in the Porter negotiations — and whether the Steelers’ old-school contract philosophy is really holding the franchise back. Brandt brings a rare perspective: he has been on BOTH sides of NFL negotiations as a player agent and a Packers executive. He also knew Aaron Rodgers during his early Green Bay years and was part of the organization that hired Mike McCarthy. That gives him a unique perspective on two of the biggest figures in Pittsburgh right now. We get into Rodgers’ leverage over the Steelers, why Pittsburgh was willing to wait for him, the complicated Brett Favre-to-Rodgers transition in Green Bay, the Joey Porter Jr. contract situation, player “hold-ins,” guaranteed money, the Steelers’ refusal to negotiate contracts during the season and whether Pittsburgh’s traditional way of doing business still works in the modern NFL. Brandt also identifies what could ultimately be the biggest question facing the Steelers: What happens at quarterback after Aaron Rodgers? BUY ANDREW BRANDT’S BOOK — SMARTER ABOUT SPORTS Andrew’s official book site: SmarterAboutSports.com — Buy Smarter About Sports Amazon: Buy Smarter About Sports on Amazon Andrew’s book takes readers behind the scenes of his career as an agent, Green Bay Packers executive, media personality, professor and sports-business insider — including stories involving Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, Ricky Williams and decades inside the business of professional sports. IN THIS VIDEO: • Why Andrew Brandt believes something became personal between Joey Porter Jr. and the Steelers • How player “hold-ins” have changed NFL contract negotiations • Whether the Steelers’ contract and guarantee policies are actually outdated • Why Aaron Rodgers had unusual leverage over Pittsburgh • What Brandt remembers about Rodgers before he became an NFL superstar • Brandt’s firsthand perspective on Mike McCarthy from their Green Bay years • Why finding the quarterback AFTER Rodgers could define the Steelers’ future If you love Steelers football, make sure you SUBSCRIBE to Steel City Insider so you don’t miss the latest Steelers news, analysis, reactions, rumors, predictions, and AFC North coverage. Know a Steelers fan who needs to see this? SHARE this video with your friends, family, fellow Steelers fans, and everyone in Steelers Nation. The goal is to make this channel a place where Steelers fans come together. STEELERS NATION: Is Pittsburgh’s old-school approach to contracts still a competitive advantage — or are the Steelers finally being hurt by refusing to change? And who do YOU think deserves more blame for the Joey Porter Jr. situation: Porter’s side or the Steelers? DROP YOUR TAKE IN THE COMMENTS.
