TJ Watt: Steelers Locker Room Was Forced To Ignore Ben Roethlisberger's Critical Comments

The Pittsburgh Steelers won't admit that they have been "rebuilding" the team since 18-year veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger retired at the end of the 2021 season. Regardless of what you call it, it feels like there has been a decline in the excellence and effort the team as a whole puts forth. This feels especially true since quarterback Kenny Pickett took over the offense with Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada calling the plays. This has led to some former players speaking about a "culture" change in Pittsburgh with the focus on winning no longer being the "standard." While those culture comments have been made by multiple players, the one that had the biggest ripple effect was when Roethlisberger said it. 

Roethlisberger now co-hosts a podcast with his friend Spencer Te'o called Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger. On his show, Roethlisberger said that he feels like the way the Steelers are viewed around the league has changed. When he first started playing in 2004, he said that they are almost feared by default because their defense was just that good. He said other teams were intimidated by them and now it feels like that is lost. 

He went on to say that he feels that the tradition of the Steelers is lost and that it might need to be redeveloped in some way. While it might not feel the same as it did during the Roethlisberger era, there are leaders on the team, particularly on the defense. That includes TJ Watt, Cameron Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Patrick Peterson. Those guys are passing the torch on to the next generation and teaching them the "Steelers way." That younger group includes Alex Highsmith, Joey Porter Jr., and Keeanu Benton.

Steelers' T.J. Watt Said The Team Has To Ignore Ben Roethlisberger's Comments

Roethlisberger's comments didn't sit well with a lot of people and recently Watt was asked about them. Watt has been in Las Vegas, like many NFL players for the NFL Honors Show that leads up to the Super Bowl. 

Watt spoke with Jason Fitz from Yahoo! Sports on Radio Row at Super Bowl LVIII. They discussed Head Coach Mike Tomlin and his uncanny ability to motivate all players, regardless of when or how they enter the league. Watt said he'd challenge anyone to sit in one of Tomlin's meetings and not want to run through a wall at the end. 

Fitz also asked Watt about the comments Roethlisberger made. Watt said that he understands why people put weight on Roethlisberger's comments, he did help the Steelers win two Super Bowls. But he is no longer a part of the organization and is looking in from the outside. 

"At the end of the day, it's all about the guys in the locker room and it's hard for people on the outside to truly get a feel for what's going on on the inside. We just have to come together as a unit and understand that we're not going to solve our problems by listening to everybody on the outside, we need to solve problems internally. I think that's why we went on a nice run towards the end to be able to get into the playoffs, but more is required," said Watt.

The end-of-season run that Watt is likely referring to is when longtime Steelers' backup quarterback Mason Rudolph took over under center. Most analysts agree that the biggest issue with the team is the offense, primarily its lack of leadership. The team struggled under Canada, who was ultimately fired after the Week 11 loss to the Cleveland Browns. 

Now new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith will be taking over and he will have his work cut out for him. He not only has to deal with a quarterback controversy, regardless of whether Rudolph stays or not, but he also has a wide receivers group that appears to lack discipline and an offensive line that has been mostly inconsistent.       

Hopefully, Smith and the other new offensive staff members can get this young offense back on track and help the Steelers return to their winning ways. 

What do you think about Watt's comments on Roethlisberger's opinion? Click to comment below.

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