Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger 'Didn't Care' If He Wasn't A Great Teammate: "I Am Here To Win"

The Pittsburgh Steelers were in good hands for almost two decades with Ben Roethlisberger under center in the Steel City. Now, post-retirement, the quarterback position has been in a bit of disarray—but the Steelers are working to fix that. Steelers fans always enjoy hearing from their longtime signal-caller, and on Tuesday’s episode of his podcast Footbahlin, Roethlisberger got unexpectedly heartfelt.

During his career, Roethlisberger wasn’t always known as the most humble or team-oriented player. He was often seen as a fierce competitor—focused, driven, and unapologetically committed to winning. However, as he grew older and more mature in the league, Roethlisberger became a more thoughtful teammate and a much humbler presence in the locker room. Still, that relentless pursuit of championships—something he shares with all-time greats like Michael Jordan—sometimes came at a cost.

In his podcast, Roethlisberger expressed genuine regret about not being more supportive to some of his teammates. He admitted he didn’t always take the time to build friendships, often brushing off those opportunities in favor of keeping his focus on football. 

"I got criticized sometimes for not being the best teammate," Roethlisberger said. "I didn’t care. I didn’t, like, take the time to try to be friends with everybody. Obviously, in 18 years, you come across a lot of guys and a lot of friends. I would say, 'If you are looking for a friend, go to the Boys and Girls Club.' I am here to win games and win championships."

Now, with the benefit of hindsight, he wishes he had been more present for the guys around him. 

It was a rare moment of vulnerability from a player known for his toughness—and a reminder of the weight that comes with leadership.

"Becoming a friend shouldn’t trump my willingness to try and win," Roethlisberger said. "Maybe if I could just go back and be a better teammate to all the guys. Maybe if I could just go back and be a better teammate all the time to guys—like if there was someone I wronged or wasn’t kind to. Looking back now, I wish I could fix that wrong, say I’m sorry. But I still would stand by the, 'I am here to win.' Maybe I could’ve just been there more for guys if they needed me."

One of the most obvious situations where Roethlisberger may have some regret is how he handled the drafting of Mason Rudolph. Rudolph came in as a young quarterback from Oklahoma State, drafted in the third round, with hopes that he could be the heir apparent to Roethlisberger. 

Early reports revealed that Roethlisberger wasn’t thrilled about the Steelers selecting a quarterback, especially at that point in the draft. Despite his career timeline showing signs of slowing down, Roethlisberger felt the team should have used that pick to get a weapon to help them win immediately, and he didn't love the decision. That tension set the tone for their relationship, and over time, it became clear that the two weren’t on the best of terms.

As their time together progressed, Roethlisberger admitted that Rudolph never really seemed to want his help. The relationship between the two never developed into one of mentorship, which is often critical for quarterbacks in similar situations. Roethlisberger’s approach to leadership and his intense focus on winning didn’t leave much room for nurturing that bond. 

It’s possible that both sides felt the pressure of the situation—Roethlisberger, with a career winding down, and Rudolph, with expectations of eventually taking over the starting job. The lack of connection left some unresolved tension between the two.

Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger Only Cared About Winning

Now, Roethlisberger has expressed regret about the way things played out. Of course, winning was always his primary focus, and that competitive drive sometimes overshadowed relationships. While Roethlisberger had plenty of friends in the locker room, his unwavering desire to win at all costs meant that building those deeper connections often took a backseat. 

Even as he reflects on these past moments with regret, Roethlisberger is adamant that winning was, and still is, the most important thing in his mind. That's exactly why he is still so loved by Steelers fans.

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