In April, a few days before the first phase of offseason workouts, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive linemen Ramon Foster and Maurkice Pouncey issued a joint social-media post calling for an end to all bashing by current and former players.

Although his name was never mentioned in the post, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was the target of the barbs that Foster and Pouncey wanted to see cease and desist.

Pouncey, perhaps Roethlisberger’s closest friend on the team, was asked about that criticism Wednesday, a few days after the quarterback found himself in the cross hairs by yet another ex-teammate.

“I think they forgot my phone number or something,” Pouncey said.

Former linebacker and assistant coach Joey Porter, who was let go by the organization in January, became the latest person to attack Roethlisberger. Porter said in a TV interview that Roethlisberger uses his leadership to advance his own agenda.

Pouncey, though, didn’t want to push back against Porter or any other former Steelers player that took shots at Roethlisberger in the offseason.

“I said what I said,” Pouncey said. “Everybody knows I support him. There’s no point of even talking about that anymore.”

In March, Pouncey did his part by going on Instagram and calling Roethlisberger a “true LEADER” and chastised “players who leave and are mad at the organization.”

Pouncey was asked after practice Wednesday whether the volume of criticism has been unfair to his quarterback.

“Absolutely, you guys know,” he said. “No point of even asking that question.”

The team dynamic changed with the departure of All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown, who instigated most of the offseason controversy while orchestrating his trade to the Oakland Raiders. The cloud of running back Le’Veon Bell’s status no longer hangs over the team, and offseason workouts have drawn nearly 100 percent participation from players on the 91-man roster.

“We always had chemistry,” Pouncey said. “The bonds are a little stronger. Guys really know that family wins football games. You’ve got to stick together. You can’t just go out with one player and do it. Everyone has to do their part.”

That mantra became a point of emphasis when the Steelers reported to work in mid-April for offseason conditioning. It was the first time in five years they did so after not participating in the AFC playoffs.

“Every year there is something different,” Pouncey said. “It’s how you take it and how you move forward. I think this team is doing a positive job of it, going out and putting the past behind us. We’re looking for the next day and getting better each and every day.

“There’s no point of talking about old stuff. It brings up too many bad memories and nothing good ever comes from it.”

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