The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Los Angeles Rams 24-17 in their most complete game of the 2023 NFL season. It was a pretty low bar, but the Steelers cleared it. The offense scored all 24 points, with a massive assist from TJ Watt, who set them up at the six-yard line early in the second half. In fact, the offense played their best 15 minutes of football in Kenny Pickett’s young career in spite of some self inflicted wounds in the fourth quarter.
Footbahlin With Ben Roethlisberger
Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger and Spencer Te'o return with Episode 39 of the Footbahlin podcast.
Ben Roethlisberger and Spencer Te’o returned to YouTube with Episode 39 of Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger. The duo did not welcome a guest for Monday’s episode, filmed during the Sunday Night Football game between the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles. The future Hall of Fame quarterback wasn’t sure how to feel about the Steelers' victory and explained why.
“We probably need to talk at some point about the negative plays by receivers in terms of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties,” Roethlisberger opined. “George [Pickens] again, that could have been crucial. He gets a big play, then does a taunt and you know Mike [Tomlin] pats him on the butt, tells him to get back in there. I don’t know how long we allow that to keep happening. It didn’t end up hurting the team, but what if it did?”
The former Steelers signal-caller is a huge fan of George Pickens. Roethlisberger practically drools at the thought of having the second-year receiver at his disposal. He retired in 2021, but Roethlisberger started his career with Bill Cowher as his coach, and the thought of Cowher gently admonishing Pickens after the taunting penalty is comical.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers' last two head coaches, Mike Tomlin and Bill Cowher.
It is not a criticism of Tomlin. He coaches in a very different NFL with players who are far more sensitive than they were even five years ago. Cowher’s heated style would likely end up getting him suspended or sent to sensitivity training in the modern NFL. Come to think of it, probably both. Tomlin has to embrace the reality of the modern player and the real problems with how to reach them. Roethlisberger explains that behind closed doors, Tomlin might have a different reaction.
“I think what is going to happen is it might get talked about in the meeting,” Roethlisberger continued. “Coach Tomlin might just say, 'See that rug, lift that up.' I’ve seen him do it in the past with guys. You know, 'I’ll put up with you until I can replace you.' It looks like he said something to him. You can’t do it. You can’t have those [penalties]. It seems like it’s almost every week that we’re having something like that happen.”
It has not been an every game occurrence, but Pickens is no stranger to 15-yard penalties. The point that Roethlisberger is making, as the former leader of the offense, is that eventually, karma catches up and it will cost you. The two-time Super Bowl champion is in his own style, criticizing Tomlin’s reaction and Pickens at the same time.
“Again, it hasn’t hurt us yet. All it takes is one time,” Roethlisberger concluded. “What happens if that happens in a fourth quarter and it changes the game? Do we just keep allowing that stuff? At some point, you’ve got to put a stop to it now before it gets out of control. That kid, I’m going to say it again, George Pickens is an absolute animal. He’s a game-changer. He’s a difference-maker. You gotta get under control before it gets out of control, and you lose it forever. It can happen.”
Roethlisberger had a front row seat to one of the greatest career implosions in NFL history. Pickens would do well to heed the advice of the former quarterback who saw Antonio Brown destroy his Steelers’ career. It cannot be said enough that Tomlin’s ability to keep Brown in check is some of the best coaching in NFL history. After seeing the circus that has ensued since Brown left Pittsburgh, it is hard to fathom how Tomlin managed to get him into a uniform, never mind a potential trip to the Hall of Fame.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' George Pickens looks up at a bright NFL future after scoring touchdown to beat the Baltimore Ravens.
Former Steelers Great Antonio Brown Finally Gives Ben Roethlisberger Credit
The Steelers have rarely tolerated diva behavior, especially at wide receiver. Pittsburgh said goodbye to Plaxico Burress early in Roethlisberger’s career. The organization prides itself on a reputation to identify and maximize wide receiver potential. Pickens has the potential to be great, but they moved on from Brown and Burress, who both went on to win Super Bowls with other teams and also endure ugly off-the-field incidents that cost them part of their careers elsewhere.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Is Roethlisberger's warning to Pickens something that the phenomenal young talent should take to heart? More importantly, will he? Please comment below or on my Twitter/X: @thebubbasq.
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