Former Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback and future Hall of Famer, Ben Roethlisberger released the most recent episode of his podcast series, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger on Monday. He and cohost, Spencer Te'o discussed several topics as the duo does every week. It was rivalry week with Pittsburgh hosting the Baltimore Ravens and unfortunately taking the loss, 16-14 in a nail-biter. Rookie signal-caller, Kenny Pickett exited with a concussion and veteran, Mitch Trubisky ended up throwing three interceptions, all of which came in enemy territory.
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 22: Mitch Trubisky #10 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs off the field during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2022, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
Discussing the rough statistical outing from Trubisky, the new retiree said he didn't have a problem with the aggressiveness. He even compared first-year Wide Receiver, George Pickens' outburst on the sideline when the team took on the Atlanta Falcons in Week 13 to the unfortunate mistakes of the team's current backup quarterback.
"It's tough. You gotta be smart. I'll use this example. Last week, George Pickens was having some issues on the sideline and they asked Coach T[omlin] about it. Coach T. said ' you know what, I'm okay with that. I'd rather say woah than sic 'em'. Mike's been saying that for a long time, basically saying meaning, I'd rather a guy be aggressive and have to tell him 'woah' than a guy be non-aggressive and tell him 'hey, go get em.'"
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) participates in the Organized Team Activities (OTAs), Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. (Photo Credit: Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Roethlisberger continued as he focused on his former Coach, Mike Tomlin, and why he shouldn't have had an issue with Trubisky's aggressive nature on Sunday, especially if Pickens' antics were accepted a week ago.
"If he's okay with George freaking out and causing questions in the locker room, he has to be okay with Mitch being aggressive because you'd rather woah 'em than sic 'em. It's the same sort of thing. If Mitch is being aggressive and trying to take shots and try to score touchdowns and doing what he can to win the game. Mitch's going out there saying 'I got benched earlier in the year. I'm going to throw this ball around and do what I can to help win this game."
While the former Super Bowl Champion was complimentary of Trubisky, he still acknowledged that the turnovers were extremely costly.
"Obviously it was a rough day for Mitch. I thought he did well in the sense that he completed some balls, took some shots down the field. He moved the team. The team moved. But, when you're in Baltimore territory and you have three interceptions and a blocked field goal, the chances of winning that game is so slim."
Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky warms up for a 2022 preseason game | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
In lieu of the three turnovers, Roethlisberger had to back up his fellow quarterback and help everyone understand the first interception was more because of Steven Sims' mistake and not Trubisky's.
"The first interception was not Mitch's fault. He was going to 'Muth' on the backside and it looked like the receiver on the frontside either fell or he didn't clear so the spacing was off and so it was actually the other guy's defender that was able to make that play."
Do you think Roethlisberger protecting Trubisky and comparing his situation to Pickens' makes sense? Let us know in the comments below!
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