The Pittsburgh Steelers were lucky to have quarterback Ben Roethlisberger guide their franchise for almost two decades. In the 18 seasons that Roethlisberger led the Steelers' offense, he changed the game. Roethlisberger won two Super Bowls, threw for 64,088 passing yards, and racked up 418 touchdowns to just 211 interceptions. His legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks of his era is cemented, and many football pundits assume Roethlisberger will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Yet, not everyone shares that view.
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Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger waves to fans as he walks off the Kansas City Chiefs home turf.
During an appearance on Cam Heyward's Not Just Football podcast, Heyward was left shocked after hearing a surprising take from his guest, Cam Jordan. Despite Roethlisberger's impressive statistics and championships, Jordan expressed doubts about his first ballot Hall of Fame credentials. Jordan, a respected NFL player in his own right, argued that Roethlisberger may not even deserve first-ballot induction and questioned whether he was truly better than quarterbacks like Philip Rivers.
This bold opinion left Heyward visibly stunned, as it challenges the widely accepted narrative about Roethlisberger's place in NFL history. While Roethlisberger's career achievements stand tall, Jordan’s assessment casts doubt on the automatic assumption that winning Super Bowls and putting up eye-popping stats are enough to secure a first-ballot Hall of Fame spot. It suggests that, even with his remarkable success, Roethlisberger's legacy may not be as clear-cut as many believe.
"What I meant was [that Ben] wasn’t a first-ballot Hall of Famer and I stand by that," Jordan said. "If he does get in, it’s going to take him a couple of years."
Heyward sounded off, clearly taken aback by Jordan's opinion. He called Jordan's take on Roethlisberger crazy and absurd.
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Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger and Cam Heyward celebrate after touchdown pass.
The Steelers' defensive star couldn’t believe that someone would question Roethlisberger's Hall of Fame credentials. Jordan continued to try to explain why he believes Roethlisberger isn't a first ballot Hall of Famer.
"I get you are biased and I love it, I love it for you," Jordan said. "I am just simply saying in my mind, in that era, your top three quarterbacks was Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Peyton Manning. You round out the top five with whatever, you go Philip Rivers, or Ben or Eli."
Jordan argued that Roethlisberger didn’t have any MVPs, suggesting that quarterbacks were often given MVP awards regardless of their overall impact. He downplayed Roethlisberger's accomplishments, implying that he didn't stand out enough in comparison to others. Heyward, however, was quick to point out that Roethlisberger won two Super Bowls, a significant achievement that should be recognized. He was shocked by Jordan’s stance, especially when Jordan went as far as to say he would take Rivers over Roethlisberger, calling Rivers more of a true gunslinger.
Jordan’s comments are surprising, especially considering that many believe Roethlisberger’s career accolades, including his impressive stats and two Super Bowl victories, should make him a guaranteed first-ballot Hall of Famer. However, Jordan doesn’t share that view. He argues that there are other quarterbacks, like Rivers or even Eli Manning, who could also make a strong case for a spot over Roethlisberger.
Jordan's perspective forces us to reconsider the way we evaluate quarterback greatness. It highlights how subjective the Hall of Fame debate can be, as different people weigh accomplishments like MVP awards, career longevity, or playoff performances in different ways. While Roethlisberger’s two Super Bowl wins are undeniable, other factors—like regular-season consistency or individual awards—might also influence a voter’s decision.
Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger's Legacy Is Unquestionable
Despite Jordan’s take, it’s clear that Roethlisberger’s legacy is secure in the eyes of most fans and analysts. His ability to perform in clutch moments, his longevity in Pittsburgh, and his role in revitalizing the Steelers' offense in the 2000s set him apart from many peers.
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Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger smiles during a practice.
Whether or not he receives first-ballot Hall of Fame recognition, Roethlisberger’s place in NFL history is cemented, and his impact on the game is undeniable. As the debate continues, it serves as a reminder that greatness is often viewed through different lenses, and sometimes, even the most accomplished players find themselves subject to differing opinions. Steelers fans surely enjoyed Heyward standing up for his former quarterback.
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