Steelers Great Ben Roethlisberger Responds To Backlash Over Controversial Comments

The Pittsburgh Steelers are at a season low after three devastating defeats against teams they were heavily favored to beat. In their game against the Indianapolis Colts, they encountered a series of unfortunate events that resulted in their game going completely awry, leading to the unexpected appearance of Mason Rudolph on the field. During a recent episode on the Bleav in Bengals podcast, Ben Roethlisberger, a legendary figure in the history of the Steelers, engaged in a conversation with former Cincinnati Bengals safety, Solomon Wilcots, speaking on his apprehensions regarding the present condition of his former team. Voicing his concerns, Roethlisberger spoke on the erosion of the values and principles he had helped establish during his tenure with Pittsburgh.

Roethlisberger has undoubtedly established himself as an invaluable source of wisdom and knowledge for devoted Steelers fans, consistently delivering his insight and understanding through these podcast episodes. Serving as an exceptional ambassador for the team, even after his retirement, Roethlisberger's unwavering loyalty and passion for his former franchise make him a true fan favorite.

Despite their recent three-game losing streak, the Steelers, currently standing at 7-7, have a golden opportunity to turn their season around and secure a spot in the Wild Card race. While their chances have been significantly impacted by these consecutive losses, the team's six-time Pro Bowl quarterback has every right to express his frustrations, perhaps as an attempt to motivate and galvanize his former teammates.

"Is that Steeler Way, is that tradition still there? Is it still talked about? Is it still preached about? Is it still passed down," questioned Roethlisberger. 

Briefly referencing former players like Jerome Bettis, Alan Faneca, Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu, the two-time Super Bowl champion then continued about what truly made the Steelers so successful during his playing days.

"It always starts in the trenches. Everyone that’s played the game knows that’s where the physicality starts." Roethlisberger continued. "I was just asking the question, are we still the same physical team? Because on that defensive board, it said no hundred-yard rushers [back when Roethlisberger played]. Well, Indy goes down the field on us last week with 13 straight runs. That doesn’t happen."

These statements made by the former Steelers quarterback are not far from the truth, as he asserted that they no longer possess the intimidating aura that once struck fear into their adversaries, nor the dominance and success he experienced during his 18-year tenure with the franchise. The Steelers have been struggling to accomplish what comes easily for other NFL teams, as their performance seems to be more of a slow and challenging process. Based on their performance this year, there is little evidence to ensure that the Steelers can salvage their season and make a comeback.

It is worth noting that the majority of the current roster is comprised of younger players who did not experience the glory days of Pittsburgh's Super Bowl victories. Additionally, the media seems to be more focused on protecting Head Coach Mike Tomlin, who has a track record of never having a losing season.

The absence of effective leadership, particularly in the offensive aspect of the game, has been remarkably evident this season. Numerous individuals, including Roethlisberger, have raised doubts about whether the team has entirely deviated from its once-successful path. Mason Rudolph, the third-string quarterback, has recently been called upon to actively contribute to the team after a hiatus since Week 16 of the 2021 season, with his tenure in Pittsburgh spanning six years. The continuous lack of effort from multiple players in the last couple of games has also taken a toll on the team's ability to secure wins.

Despite the recent news regarding Rudolph's appointment as the starting quarterback for the upcoming week, Tomlin has expressed that the team is not completely ruling out the possibility of Kenny Pickett making a return. While he has been dealing with an ankle injury, there remains a glimmer of hope within the team that Pickett could potentially make a comeback later in the season to contribute to a possible playoff run.

What are your thoughts on the points Roethlisberger makes? Do you think the Steelers can make a comeback after these losses? Let us know in the comments!

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