Category: Ben Roethlisberger

Two Steelers legends support Fields—but Tomlin has the final say

The greatest QBs in Steelers history, Terry Bradshaw and Ben Roethlisberger, agree that Justin Fields should be the starter moving forward.

While Head Coach Mike Tomlin believes in exploring what QB Russell Wilson is capable of, potentially at the expense of the 4-2 former starting quarterback Justin Fields, the two greatest quarterbacks in Steelers franchise history hold an entirely different point of view.

Future Hall of Famer and two-time Super Bowl champion Ben Roethlisberger publicly stated that the only stats the Steelers should focus on, when evaluating Fields, are his win-loss record. Roethlisberger argued that the combination of Fields’ strong arm and athleticism is more than enough to keep him as the starter.

Another legendary Steelers quarterback, four-time Super Bowl winner Terry Bradshaw, had a similar opinion on the matter.  Speaking to TMZ Sports, the original ‘TB12′ shared that he believes Fields “played well enough to keep the job” and should not be benched in favor of Wilson.


Andrew Filliponi, host of 93.7 The Fan, hit the nail right on the head. However, the only opinion that matters on gameday is Tomlin’s, and fans will simply have to hope for best in Week 7.

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Steelers’ legendary QB supports Justin Fields remaining as starter

Ben Roethlisberger recently spoke on his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, about Justin Fields remaining the starter.

Justin Fields appears to be making friends and supporters in all the right places. Two-time Super Bowl champion, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, believes that the only stat Pittsburgh should hold Fields accountable for is the win-loss record. 

While Fields posted his worst passer rating of the 2024 season in Week 6, the Steelers’ young QB made up for it with his athletic prowess—11 rushes for 59 yards and two rushing touchdowns. 

Roethlisberger spoke highly of Fields’ ability to keep the Steelers winning, talking about what he does right on his podcast, Footballin With Ben Roethlisberger: “What he did with his arm, what he did with his legs, I thought was really, really impressive.” He also added that it would take around two awful turnovers to give the starting duties back to Russell Wilson. 

Is Roethlisberger correct in his assessment, or should the defense truly be credited as the reason for Pittsburgh’s success? Only time will tell, but the former 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year, Wilson, may push Fields to reach even higher levels. 

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Ben Roethlisberger: Davante Adams makes Steelers a Super Bowl threat

Former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger believes that Davante Adams being traded to the Steelers makes the team instant Super Bowl contenders.

In episode 53 of Ben Roethlisberger’s podcast, Footbahlin With Ben Roethlisberger, the former Steelers legend and quarterback discussed how great the team could become if they were to acquire wide receiver Davante Adams.

Adams has been embroiled in heavy trade drama and rumors over the past few weeks, with teams like the Jets, Saints, Ravens, and Steelers caught in the middle. Fans are likely sick of hearing about their team trading for a receiver, especially after the Brandon Aiyuk situation.

However, Roethlisberger believes that if Adams ends up in the Steel City, Pittsburgh would instantly become a Super Bowl contender. While concerned about a potential reunion between Adams and Aaron Rodgers on the Jets, Ben acknowledges that a duo of Pickens and Adams could ignite all facets of the offense.

Can Steelers GM Omar Khan turn this speculative probability into a reality? Pittsburgh is in dire need of a second wide receiver, and one of the greatest WRs of all-time will surely do.

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Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger impressed by Justin Fields sideline throw

Ben roethlisberger reacts to Justin Fields insane sideline throw during Week 2 game.

Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, a podcast by the future hall-of-fame quarterback and Pittsburgh Steelers legend, is never without intrigue, and this was especially true in the most recent episode.  Ben offered his reactions to the entirety of the Broncos game, but one aspect in particular, specifically a play made by Justin Fields, had the Steelers legend in awe.

https://twitter.com/matthewluciow92/status/1835807947860877629?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

The throw in question, while it was called back, was incredible and can be seen below:

https://twitter.com/JordanDajani/status/1835426787867930930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

The issue has never been Fields’ arm or quickness, or any athletic qualities for that matter.  Consistency is key, and Steelers fans hope Fields can play consistently well rather than complacently moving forward.

Fields is on track to start this week against the Los Angeles Chargers, but his future as the Steelers’ starter when or if Russell Wilson comes back from injury remains to be seen.

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Former Steeler shares insider drama between Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown

Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown took very different approaches to practice and Brown didn’t like it.

The relationship between former Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown has always been a soap opera. Despite putting up ridiculous numbers on the field, it always felt like their friendship was staged. This really showed itself when Brown went off the deep end and forced the team to trade him.

But where was the disconnect? Well, according to former Steelers long snapper Kam Canaday, it all centered around practice. Canaday talked about it on the “Keep Hammering Collective Podcast” where he shed some light on the issues with how both guys took very different approaches to practice.

“During camp, when guys were trying to work their absolute ass off to make the team, and he [Brown] still blowing everyone out of the water, still outworking them,” Kanaday said of Brown.

According to Canaday, Brown never let up when it came to his practice work and he had a problem with the fact that Roethlisberger tended to coast during practice and just show up big on Sundays.

“The guy had a motor, he didn’t slow down, and he was like that for 16 weeks, and I think that’s probably why him and Ben [Roethlisberger] probably got into it a little bit, because Ben had his two Super Bowls, and he got banged up, and Ben would sit out a little bit. He just liked to take it easy until Sunday.”

Canaday made it seem that Brown took it personally that he was not getting enough reps with Roethlisberger in practice and that would hurt Brown in games. Brown was incredibly talented but his focus was always more about his personal production as opposed to team success.

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Ben Roethlisberger takes subtle shot at Mason Rudolph, says he ‘didn’t want my help anymore’

Since Mason Rudolph took over at quarterback, the story of his relationship with Ben Roethlisberger has resurfaced.

Since Mason Rudolph took over as the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, the story of his relationship with Ben Roethlisberger has resurfaced.

Rudolph recently intimated that the quarterbacks room wasn’t such a cohesive group as they are now when Roethlisberger was QB1. “… There’s been other times when it’s been not as cohesive as a group, and people aren’t as forthcoming with ‘Hey, how do we help?’”

Roethlisberger denied he didn’t help Rudolph, instead stating that it was extended but not accepted.

“When Mason played for me, I was trying to help Mason as much as I could,” Roethlisberger shared on his “Footbhalin'” podcast on Dec. 31. “Then he just he never… he didn’t want my help anymore, so I backed off.”

The future Hall of Famer said he never had an issue with Rudolph as a person, only where the Steelers took him.

“I never had an issue with Mason when he got drafted. I’m going to put it out there now. I had more of an issue with the pick.”

The Steelers jumped the Cincinnati Bengals, trading up in the third round for Rudolph in the 2018 NFL draft. This was immediately after snagging wide receiver James Washington, Rudolph’s top target at Oklahoma State. It certainly had the makings of Pittsburgh preparing for its post-Roethlisberger future. But he claims that didn’t bother him (nor did it work out as such).

“We were a really good football team, and he was drafted early. I just felt like we could have maybe picked a player that could have helped us at the moment. We were still a team that was that was competing,” he said. “I was not worried about him taking my job. I know some people probably… I thought that was not an issue for me.”

“I felt that we could have drafted a position — offense or defense — that could have helped us. Not a guy that was going to be a potential backup, sure maybe have the the job in the future. That’s where I was more frustrated. It had nothing to do with Mason personally.”

Five years later, Rudolph is doing his damnest to prove he was worthy of the draft selection. And maybe — just maybe — earn top billing ahead of the 2024 season should he remain in Pittsburgh.

https://www.youtube.com/live/vEjktsvQ7zY?si=4J-igx7u1m-1I4nJ

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Ben Roethlisberger says Pittsburgh offense totally lacks ‘Steeler toughness’

We all knew it would happen someday, but it doesn’t make it any less heartbreaking.

We all knew it would happen someday, but it doesn’t make it any less heartbreaking. The current state of the Pittsburgh Steelers is something we’re not entirely used to seeing.

After Ben Roethlisberger retired, things started to shift. That will happen when a tenured future Hall of Famer leaves a team after nearly 20 years. But it’s hurting the team internally and the product on the field. And it doesn’t seem like there’s an answer in sight.

“When I retired, I felt like certain guys aren’t in it for the team, they’re in it for themselves, Roethlisberger said on the Dec. 11 episode of his “Footbahlin” podcast. “Well, now some of the guys on the team are saying the same thing, so maybe I wasn’t too far off when I said that.”

“I know that I’m retired, I’m not in the locker room. I get it. But it just feels like that something’s that’s kind of been lost on this team a little bit. It feels like the Steeler Way is just not … listen, you’ve got some great leaders on defense, don’t get me wrong… T.J. [Watt] and Minkah [Fitzpatrick], but you’ve got two sides of a football.

Pittsburgh sees it’s not as easy as bringing in a veteran to become an instant leader. They’re tried, but it’s not the same as being drafted by the organization and growing with the team into a leadership role. Even then, that step hasn’t happened. Najee Harris isn’t a leader. Diontae Johnson isn’t a leader.

The Steeler Way should be part of your soul from the moment a rookie puts on the Black and Gold. It just hasn’t happened.

“You don’t have it on offense,” Roethlisberger said. “You can bring a veteran football player in, Mason Cole, Isaac [Seumalo], but just because they’re … a veteran football player doesn’t mean that they’re a Steeler, like they know what it is to be a Pittsburgh Steeler.”

Roethlisberger was the last of the true Pittsburgh Steelers on the offensive side of the ball, and no one has stepped up to be that guy.

“When I left, I was kind of the last guard there. [Maurkice] Pouncey left the year before, Dave [DeCastro], like those guys left and it was like I was the last one.”

“There was such an age gap for me and everybody else on offense that there just wasn’t that Steeler tradition passed down. You have it on defense, but you don’t have it on offense right now, and it’s making it really hard. You’re not seeing, in my opinion, the toughness on offense. And I say toughness in the sense of a Steeler toughness, I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with, like, ‘This guy’s soft.’ Like, who’s grabbing someone by the face mask and being like, ‘Uh-uh, that’s not what we do.’

“Yes, you have guys on defense doing, but you need guys on both sides of the ball doing because when you’re in offensive meetings, when you’re in offensive huddles, when you’re doing that, you’re meeting separately, you need someone to stand up in that room on offense and be like, ‘Hey, this isn’t what it means to wear the Black and Gold.’ ”

The Steeler Way can be preached, but unless you live it, it’s not really there. And that’s what’s been missing.

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Aaron Rodgers supports Ben Roethlisberger as new Steelers OC

A statue would be erected in Ben Roethlisberger’s honor.

Pittsburgh Steelers fans clamoring for Ben Roethlisberger to take Matt Canada’s job as offensive coordinator dates back to (at least) his second season. And while it’s not a realistic desire, fellow future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers thinks Roethlisberger could pull it off.

“I think Ben could do it because he understands the game and he could call it in his sleep at the line of scrimmage,” Rodgers said on the October 3 Pat McAfee Show. “But it’s very rare that you see great players who come back and are able to be great coaches. I don’t know if it’s the time commitment or dealing with people that don’t see the game the same way.

There were tons of moments, especially later in his career, where Roethlisberger was fondly dubbed “Backyard Ben” for drawing up plays in the dirt and pulling off incredible comeback wins.

And Rodgers loved it.

“Ben, like me, was one of the few quarterbacks in the league who could just call their own plays. I always loved watching him in those situations,” he said. “They’d be behind by a couple scores maybe or in the two-minute drive knowing he’s calling it. Where everything now, with most teams, comes from the sideline.”

Rodgers also suggests fans chill out. “This is overreaction time… everybody needs to take a couple deep breaths. We’re four games into the season, there’s a lot of football left.”

As a neutral party, McAfee could be more openly critical.

“The Steelers offense has been terrible. 39 straight games of just bad stuff. If Ben Roethlisberger was to come call plays and they would have any offensive success at all, they’d put a statue up by next week. All those old steel mills, they’d open them back up to get enough steel to get a big ass Big Ben right in the middle of that.”

“Hey, Ben, if you see this. You know.”

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On this day in Steelers history: Ben Roethlisberger changed the face of the franchise

In 2004, Ben Roethlisberger took the field with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the first time and forever changed the history of the franchise.

On Sept. 19, 2004, Ben Roethlisberger forever changed the face of the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise.

In Week 2, the Steelers were trailing the rival Baltimore Ravens 20 to zip with five minutes remaining in the third quarter. QB Tommy Maddox sustained an elbow injury that forced Roethlisberger to come off the bench and play in his first pro game. Despite two picks, he showed a veteran’s poise and finished the game with two touchdowns, 176 yards, and an 83 percent passer rating. Pittsburgh lost to Baltimore by a score of 30-13, but it wouldn’t lose again until the conference championship game 15 games later.

Roethlisberger would quickly go from game manager to Super Bowl winner, helping the team to three and winning two.

The six-time Pro Bowler hung up his cleats on January 27, 2022, with 64,008 yards, 438 total touchdowns, 1,373 rushing yards and a quarterback record of 165-81-1 in 249 games (247 starts). His storied career will — without question — earn him a gold jacket, likely with his first shot in 2027.

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The 10 best Cyber Monday deals for the Pittsburgh Steelers fan in your life

The best holiday gift ideas for any Pittsburgh Steelers fan in your life.

Happy holidays, Steelers fans!

Pittsburgh is off to an up-and-down start this season, but Steelers Wire is here to give you a reason to celebrate this holiday season.

Whether you’re all in on the 2022-23 playoff push or just love to reminisce about the days of Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris or Troy Polamalu, we’ve got you covered with our list of best Steelers.

Fanatics is offering 30% off all orders on Cyber Monday, so take at least 30% off the prices in the list below and get the perfect gift for the Steelers fan in your life.

If you need another gift for the football fan in your life, consider a subscription to The Huddle. Win your fantasy football league with The Huddle’s award-winning fantasy football cheat sheets, rankings, sleepers and insider tools. Sign up today.

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