Tag: Ben Roethlisberger

Jan 8, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) takes the field against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Kenny Pickett on Ben Roethlisberger: ‘He’s a fan now’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kenny Pickett took the high road on Tuesday when asked about retired Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s recent comments in which he initially didn’t wish him well.

“Early on I didn’t want you to succeed because you followed me up. I didn’t want it to happen,” Roethlisberger said to Pickett on his recent podcast, “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger.”

“I think that’s probably the selfishness of me, and I feel bad for it.”

Roethlisberger admitted he quickly moved past those feelings, and Pickett acknowledged Tuesday that it’s water under the bridge.

“He’s honest, he’s upfront about it and he’s a fan now,” Pickett said, per Sports Illustrated. “… So I think we’re just going to continue to build on that relationship and reach out if I have any questions. I’m excited to go into year two with another guy in my corner.”

The Steelers began the season with veteran Mitch Trubisky at quarterback, then turned to Pickett as the starter in Week 5. Pickett, the No. 20 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, was 7-5 as a starter.

Pickett, 24, completed 245 of 389 passes for 2,404 yards with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions in 13 games last season. He also rushed 5 times for 237 yards and three scores.

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) takes the field against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Roethlisberger tells successor he didn’t want him to succeed

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ben Roethlisberger quarterbacked the Pittsburgh Steelers for 18 seasons and to two Super Bowl championships. And he admitted it was hard seeing someone else under center last season, his first post-retirement.

On his most recent podcast, “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger,” he told successor Kenny Pickett that he didn’t exactly wish him well.

“Early on I didn’t want you to succeed because you followed me up. I didn’t want it to happen,” Roethlisberger said to Pickett. “I think that’s probably the selfishness of me, and I feel bad for it.”

The Steelers started the season with veteran Mitch Trubisky at quarterback, then turned to Pickett as the starter in Week 5. Pickett, the No. 20 overall selection in the 2022 draft, was 7-5 as a starter.

Roethlisberger said he warmed to Pickett.

“As you started playing, I found myself rooting more and more for you,” Roethlisberger said. “I wanted you to succeed, I wanted you to win games, I wanted you to go in the playoffs. I feel bad that I felt that early on but I’m glad I transitioned to loving and rooting for you.”

And the relationship between the two has grown.

“It means the world,” Pickett said of Roethlisberger standing by him.

–Field Level Media

Nov 13, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in attendance as the Steelers host the New Orleans Saints at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Roethlisberger says 49ers reached out last season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Retired and Canton-bound quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said Tuesday that the San Francisco 49ers reached out to him last season to “gauge” his interest in returning to the field.

Roethlisberger, 41, made the comments during an interview on 105.9 The X in Pittsburgh.

The 49ers were riddled with injuries to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo before riding Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy to the NFC Championship Game, where he, too, was injured.

“They were, I think, reaching out maybe just to gauge my interest,” Roethlisberger told the station. “I had discussions. … I’d be lying if I didn’t say there was a small part of me that was intrigued. I could still do it and prove to people that I could still play. At the end of the day, I just can’t see myself in anything other than black and gold.”

The Niners turned to journeyman Josh Johnson to back up Purdy. Johnson was also injured in the conference title game against Philadelphia.

Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 season as the NFL record-holder for passing yards (64,088) by a QB with just one team. He led the Steelers to two Super Bowl titles (2005, 2008) and was a six-time Pro Bowl pick.

–Field Level Media

Aug 28, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) leads the team out onto the field to warm up against the Detroit Lions at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Mitch Trubisky not yet Steelers QB1 but named a captain

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has yet to name a starting quarterback for the 2022 season, but Mitch Trubisky apparently has the players’ vote of confidence.

Trubisky, 28, was named one of five team captains by a vote of the players, the team announced Monday.

He joins running back Najee Harris as the captains on offense, tackle Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt on defense, and safety Miles Killebrew on special teams.

Trubisky is in his first season in Pittsburgh, signing as a free agent in the offseason. He, Harris and Killebrew are first-time captains, while Watt was voted captain for the second time. Heyward, in his 12th season, is a captain for the eighth straight year.

Tomlin has never had a quarterback competition. When he took over from Bill Cowher as Steelers coach in 2007, he inherited Ben Roethlisberger, who retired following the 2021 season.

And Tomlin’s choice has come down to Trubisky, the No. 2 overall draft pick of the Chicago Bears in 2017, and Kenny Pickett, selected No. 20 overall by the Steelers in April’s draft.

In the preseason, Trubisky completed 24 of 34 pass attempts for 283 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Pickett, 24, was 29-of-36 passing for 261 yards, with three TDs and no picks.

Veteran backup Mason Rudolph took the rest of the snaps.

For what it’s worth, Roethlisberger has made his choice. On his new podcast, “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger,” he gave Trubisky his endorsement.

“I think Mitch is a great leader, a great football player, he’s a great athlete, he’s a good quarterback,” Roethlisberger said. “He’s the guy, they brought him in here for a reason, and I think he’s going to mentor Kenny. And I think he’ll really help Kenny a lot. But in my opinion, it should be Mitch’s job for the time being. And if Mitch plays well, keep him in there. And even if Mitch has a bad game or something, that doesn’t mean just yank him.”

The Steelers open the season Sunday at Cincinnati against the defending AFC champion Bengals.

–Field Level Media

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Harris is a first-time captain in just his second season and Trubisky is a Steelers captain for the first time after signing with the team as an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Heyward, who is in his 12th season, is a defensive captain for the eighth consecutive year. Watt is a defensive captain for the second time in his career. Watt was also captain in 2020.

This is the first time Killebrew, who is in his second season with the team, was voted special teams captain.

Jan 16, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) reacts during the first half in an AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

‘Truly grateful’ Ben Roethlisberger retires

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger officially retired from football Thursday.

In a two-plus minute video posted to Twitter with his wife, Ashley, and three kids, Roethlisberger put an end to a surefire Hall of Fame career that spanned 18 years, all in Pittsburgh.

“The time has come to clean out my locker, hang up my cleats and continue to be all I can be to my wife and children,” Roethlisberger said, reading from a prepared statement. “I retire from football, a truly grateful man.”

It could be a landmark season for prominent quarterback retirement decisions. Tom Brady, 44, is weighing walking away from the NFL and Buccaneers despite leading the league in passing yards. Aaron Rodgers, who completed his 17th season in Green Bay, is at a career crossroads and said retirement is on the table.

Roethlisberger, 39, leaves as a two-time Super Bowl champion and six-time Pro Bowl selection.

He completed 64.4 percent of his passes for 64,088 yards and 418 touchdowns in 249 career games, 247 of them starts for the Steelers. He led the Steelers to 41 fourth-quarter comebacks and 53 game-winning drives in his career.

He leaves with a record of 165-81-1. Roethlisberger was the 2004 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

–Field Level Media

Dec 26, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Big Ben: Monday vs. Browns likely last game at Heinz Field

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said Monday night’s game against the Cleveland Browns likely will be his final one at Heinz Field.

“I don’t ever speak in definites or guarantees, that’s just not what I’ve ever done or who I am,” Roethlisberger said Thursday. “But looking at the bigger picture, I would say that all signs are pointing to this could be it. Regular season, that is — I know we still have a chance to potentially get a playoff game there if things fall our way and we take care of business and things have to happen. But in the grand scheme of things, in terms of regular season, signs are pointing that way, this could be it.”

Earlier this week, coach Mike Tomlin said he wasn’t interested in addressing the potential of Monday’s tilt serving as the final home game for Roethlisberger.

“I don’t know that it is going to impact anything relative to what we are intending to do or what he might intend to do,” Tomlin said.

Roethlisberger, who turns 40 in March, moved into fifth place on the NFL’s all-time passing yards list on Dec. 19.

Roethlisberger has played his entire 18-year career in Pittsburgh, and he owns most of the franchise’s passing records, including completions (5,386), yards (63,721) and touchdowns (416).

The six-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion has had one of his least productive seasons as a pro in 2021, throwing for 3,373 yards with 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Dec 19, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) passes against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Roethlisberger moves into fifth on NFL all-time passing yards list

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger moved into fifth place on the NFL’s all-time passing yards list on Sunday, surpassing Philip Rivers.

The 39-year-old Roethlisberger needed 27 passing yards against the Tennessee Titans to eclipse Rivers and did so on a 3-yard completion to rookie running back Najee Harris to open the second quarter. The completion gave Roethlisberger 29 passing yards on the day and 63,443 for his career.

Rivers, who retired following the 2020 season, now is in sixth place with 63,440. Both Rivers and Roethlisberger were first-round selections in the 2004 NFL Draft.

Roethlisberger likely won’t play long enough to reach No. 4, which is held by Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre, who threw for 71,838 yards.

Among other active quarterbacks, Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons entered play Sunday in eighth-place on the all-time list (58,871). Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers was 10th with 54,464.

–Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws in the third quarter during a Week 12 NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bengals won, 41-10. Pittsburgh Steelers At Cincinnati Bengals Nov 28

Report: Ben Roethlisberger expects this to be final season in Pittsburgh

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has confided in friends, teammates and other people within the organization that he expects this season to be his final one in Pittsburgh, according to a report from ESPN.

Roethlisberger’s public stance has been that he wouldn’t want to play anywhere else, and one source told ESPN that this stance is still the case: his appearance in another NFL city is “highly unlikely.”

That would indicate retirement for the future Hall-of-Famer once the NFL season comes to a conclusion, which is how he and members of the team are approaching the final five games of the season.

Roethlisberger, 39, has played his entire 18-year career in Pittsburgh, and he owns most of the franchise’s passing records, including completions (5,298), yards (62,870) and touchdowns (410).

The six-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion has had one of his least productive seasons as a pro in 2021, throwing for 2,522 yards with 14 touchdowns and six interceptions.

The Steelers (5-5-1) are fresh off a 41-10 loss in Cincinnati, and currently on the outside looking in within the AFC playoff picture. They host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday before finishing this way: at Minnesota, vs. Tennessee, at Kansas City, vs. Cleveland and at Baltimore.

–Field Level Media

Nov 14, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) runs the ball against the Detroit Lions during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The game ended in a 16-16 tie. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers prep Mason Rudolph to start, hope for Big Ben’s return

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Backup quarterback Mason Rudolph will be ready to go Sunday for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but coach Mike Tomlin is leaving the door open for Ben Roethlisberger to start against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Roethlisberger is on the reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive on Saturday, despite being fully vaccinated. He’ll need to have two negative tests and be asymptomatic to return to the active roster to play against the Chargers.

“We’re going to build our plan around getting Mason ready to play,” Tomlin said. “We’re going to highlight his talents and skills relative to the opponents that we’re intending to play. We’re going to build that plan, work that plan. We’ve got a young offensive unit, and we’ll let that lead us throughout the week.

“If we get to a point in the week where Ben has an opportunity to get to a moving train, that’s exactly what he’ll do. He’ll be capable of executing the game plan.”

Rudolph, 26, started last Sunday against the Detroit Lions, a game that ended in a 16-16 tie. He completed 30 of 50 pass attempts for 242 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

He has a 5-4-1 career record as a starter subbing for Roethlisberger.

Tomlin said Roethlisberger will take part in team meetings virtually and that practice time won’t be a concern. He has a track record of playing for the Steelers (5-3-1) when some thought he wouldn’t.

“He’s been injured and had personal discomfort in the past over the course of the 15 years we’ve worked together, he always answers that bell,” Tomlin said. “We’ll definitely leave the light on for him.”

Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick also is on the reserve/COVID-19 list but isn’t expected to be available against the Chargers (5-4), Tomlin said.

–Field Level Media