Tag: Ben Roethlisberger

Former Steelers’ All-Pro WR returning to Pittsburgh

Former Steelers WR Antonio Brown has announced his return to Pittsburgh next weekend. Will Brown be in attendance for Jets versus Steelers?

The Pittsburgh Steelers, after losing two consecutive weeks, were in definite need of a shake-up. However, the return of disgruntled former All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown was not something many fans had on their bingo cards.

Brown left Pittsburgh after a falling out with the quarterback at the time, Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger.  AB felt his chance to win a Super Bowl had closed in the ‘Steel City’ and subsequently requested a trade. His departure from the Steelers to the Raiders marked a permanent hiatus from the team and Pittsburgh—until now.

His controversial past has made him a polarizing figure, but no one can take away his accomplishments on the field or his connection with inevitable first-ballot Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger.

Brown’s declaration of his return to Pittsburgh next weekend could coincide with the Steelers versus the New York Jets in Week 7, but fans can only continue to speculate until more information is released.

AB will be attending a Pittsburgh tradition with another formerly disgruntled Steeler, RB Le’Veon Bell, this weekend at the ‘Terrible Tailgate’ before the Steelers’ Week 6 game in Las Vegas.

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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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Ben Roethlisberger shares great story about Michael Strahan

Ben Roethlisberger shares a great story about New York Giants legend Michael Strahan and what he liked to do to torture opposing QBs.

The NFL has changed drastically over the years. Between rule tweaks and trends, the game is not the same as it was just five years ago, let alone 17 years ago — the last time retired New York Giants defensive end and Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan was on the field.

The league has made a strong push toward player safety. Even just this season, you see the drastic changes to the kickoff rules to enhance player protection.

The NFL has also changed how they protect the quarterback. The rules of today would make it more difficult for Strahan to dominate the way he once did.

Strahan was one of the more feared pass rushers in the league during his time and was aggressive in getting to the quarter. And then more aggressive once he did.

Recently, former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger shared a funny story about Strahan and what he liked to do to opposing quarterbacks during his era.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAGuQiLxM_L/

“I was with Michael Strahan this week and he was talking about how soft the quarterbacks are (today),” Roethlisberger said. “He literally said, ‘My favorite thing to do was hit a quarterback and then land on them.’ Not drive them into the ground but land on them. And he goes, ‘You’d hear them go ehhhhhh.’ And he said, ‘I literally felt like the life just left their body.’

“And he says it with the big Michael Strahan smile and the happiness.”

Strahan was never considered a dirty player during his career. However, naturally, hitting the quarterback was his job so it’s no surprise that Strahan found enjoyment in doing a little extra damage.

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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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Steelers legend believes Justin Fields should remain starter over Russell Wilson

Steelers quarterback legend believes Justin Fields should remain Steelers’ starter

Former Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger has been impressed with what he’s seen from Justin Fields during the Steelers 2-0 start to the 2024 season.

In the most recent edition of Roethlisberger’s ‘Footbahlin’ podcast, the two-time Super Bowl champion shared his perspective on how he believes his former team should handle the quarterback situation going forward.

During the show, the six-time Pro Bowler had this to say about Fields:

“He’s not turning the ball over,” Roethlisberger said. “They’re 2-0, big test this week with the Chargers coming in town, and to me, if Russ is healthy, I’m sticking with Justin. … What I saw today, I think that he has earned and deserves the right to stay there.”

Roethlisberger importantly noted that Fields has been decisive and careful with the football. He has yet to throw an interception in 43 pass attempts through two games this season. That is the winning formula for how the Steelers are built.

From someone who played 18 seasons for the Steelers, it’s safe to conclude his words carry weight. Wilson, another former Super Bowl champion, has been nursing a calf issue since late July. In his absence, Fields has effectively managed both of Pittsburgh’s wins over Atlanta and Denver.

While Wilson progresses in health, head coach Mike Tomlin shouldn’t be in any rush to mix up his starting passer for this Sunday’s match against the Los Angeles Chargers.

If Fields is able to overcome the ground-and-pound, Harbaugh-led attack, he could remain under center even with a healthy Wilson prepared to jump back into the fold.

Ben Roethlisberger to blame for Steelers complacency at quarterback

The Steelers are pretty out of practice in developing quarterbacks.

For 18 seasons, the Pittsburgh Steelers coaches and front office were on cruise control when it came to the quarterback position. Ben Roethlisberger was the literal definition of a franchise quarterback and is headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 2027.

But for all the good Roethlisberger brought including three Super Bowls and two Super Bowl championships, he did make the team lazy when it came to quarterback development.

Even when the Steelers drafted quarterbacks while Roethlisberger was on the roster, their development was never a priority. Guys like Landry Jones, Joshua Dobbs and Mason Rudolph as the top examples of guys who probably had more potential coming out of college than they were ever able to show with the Steelers.

But far and away the best example was how the team handled Kenny Pickett. From over-drafting him to pulling him in and out of the lineup, Pickett was doomed from the beginning.

Pittsburgh is trying to head that off this season with Russell Wilson who should need no more prep than acclimation to the system. But what happens next year? Do they try to keep Wilson and extend this out further, try to keep Justin Fields and develop him, or start over yet again?

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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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Is this the Mount Rushmore of Steelers players?

The Steelers have had so many great players over the decades, it’s hard to narrow it down to just four.

Over the decades, the Pittsburgh Steelers have seen a massive amount of team success and have a long line of players either in the Pro Football Hall of Fame already or will be soon. But if you were creating your own personal Mouth Rushmore of former Steelers, which four guys make the list?

NFL Throwback did their Mouth Rushmore for all 32 teams and for the Steelers, they went with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Terry Bradshaw along with linebacker Jack Lambert and defensive tackle Joe Greene.

Roethlisberger and Bradshaw are the two best quarterbacks in franchise history and the source of endless debate about which one is actually No. 1. Bradshaw won four Super Bowls but many look at the numbers Big Ben put up with far less talent and rank him higher.

The one guy you just can’t debate is defensive tackle Joe Greene. Greene was the guy who turned the defense around and was the centerpiece of the Steel Curtain. Many consider Lambert on the same level as Greene while others consider former teammate Jack Hamm the better player.

Personally we have no qualms with this group of four. If we were only going with one player from a particular position, I’d probably replace Bradshaw with one of the great defensive backs this team has had. Troy Polamalu, Mel Blount or Rod Woodson all are worthy of consideration.

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Former Steeler Antonio Brown credits Ben Roethlisberger for getting him into the starting lineup

Antonio Brown claimed Bruce Arians was holding him back until Ben Roethlisberger got him into the starting lineup.

The relationship between former Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown is, well, let’s say complicated. From Roethlisberger’s perspective, he’s always been consistent in his comments about Brown, even after Brown sabotaged a Hall of Fame career for the sake of hubris.

Brown, on the other hand, has been all over the map. One minute he’s praising Big Ben and the next he’s putting him on blast. But this time, on The Pivot Podcast, Brown credits Roethlisberger for convincing then-offensive coordinator Bruce Arians to put Brown in the starting lineup.

“Ben Roethlisberger the only reason I even started starting for the Steelers,” Brown said. “Literally he had to go tell Bruce Arians like yo I need AB at the X. Let me have him run these plays.”

Arians was the Steelers offensive coordinator from 2007-2011 and brown didn’t join the Steelers until 2010 so it wasn’t like Arians had a long time to “hold him back” as Brown put it. In 2011, Brown appeared in all 16 games and caught 69 passes for 1,108 yards.

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Antonio Brown says he left because the Steelers were never winning a Super Bowl

Antonio Brown talked about why he pushed his way out of the Steelers.

Say what you will, but there are times when former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown has lucid moments and says things that make a lot of sense.

This was the case when he talked about why he forced his way into a trade. Brown was on Jason Whitlock’s podcast, “Fearless” and laid out his concerns with the Steelers and their inability to build a Super Bowl-winning squad.

“I wanted to get out of Pittsburgh because I was realizing we not going to win the Super Bowl,” Brown said. “We’re not going to do anything great. How we going to do anything great? You put in your top receiver against a kid, he’s a rookie. You think a rookie receiver gonna be able to take two double teams and the best guy every week? He’s not even prepared. We play football to be champions and to change the life of your family. I wanted to be a champion, so I’m not trying to leave the team because of the money.”

Say what you will but Brown isn’t wrong. Head coach Mike Tomlin and the front office never got the most out of the roster and while we loved the numbers Brown put up with Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback but this group while Brown was on the team grossly underachieved.

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