"Joey Porter doesn't have to search hard for motivation this week.

On Sunday, Porter will be lining up against the Pittsburgh Steelers, his former team, possible making his last start for the Miami Dolphins.

This offseason the Dolphins' front office must decide whether to retain the 32-year-old pass rusher, who has contributed a career-low 39 tackles but produced a team-high eight sacks this season while playing on a troublesome right knee.

Whether to extend Porter's stay is one of the tougher decisions this Dolphins regime will have to make in 2010.

Porter signed a five-year deal with the Dolphins in 2007 after the Steelers dumped him that offseason to get younger at his position. He's slated to make a base salary of $3.6 million in 2010, but he's due a $1 million roster bonus and a $200,000 workout bonus this summer.

When this regime was faced with paying an aging team leader a hefty roster bonus last offseason they decided to part ways, cutting defensive end Vonnie Holliday, then a team captain, instead of paying him the $1.5 million he was due.

Porter said he's aware of the business side of the NFL, so he knows he could face the same fate as Holliday, especially considering he hasn't produced monster numbers this season. He also had a run in with Dolphins coach Tony Sparano that led to a one-game suspension earlier this season.

However, with a sack against the Steelers, Porter could exceed his career average of producing 8.3 sacks in his previous 10 seasons.

Porter has not talked to South Florida reporters this week, but during his weekly Porter's House segment with the NFL Network, he expressed excitement about facing the Steelers and realizes "Peezy," his tough-talking, aggressive, alter ego will surface on Sunday."