After a lengthy career in Pittsburgh, ex-Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took a big shot at his former team. The 43-year-old has been retired since 2021, having played his entire career with the Steelers. Roethlisberger was quick to point out where the Steelers failed him, yet he was still able to win a pair of Super Bowls in Pittsburgh.
Ben Roethlisberger Puts the Steelers On Blast For His Treatment Compared To Aaron Rodgers
Whether it’s a little bit of jealousy or animosity between Big Ben and Rodgers, the six-time Pro Bowler made sure his former team heard him loud and clear. Roethlisberger, who played in Pittsburgh from 2004-21, had plenty to say about the current state of the team compared to when he was playing.
Roethlisberger scanning, is he gonna check it down? No, he takes a shot downfield! pic.twitter.com/ig2n3t7kSM
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) November 5, 2025
“I just think it’s funny because they’re giving Aaron DK [Metcalf] and all these things, and I got a center that never played center before in my last year. It’s amazing,” Roethlisberger said.
At the end of the day, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for Rodgers. He’s currently 24th in PFSN’s QB Impact Metric with a C- grade. Not all of that is his fault, but head coach Mike Tomlin knows they can’t ask their 41-year-old QB to throw the ball 40 times a game. Keep in mind, Rodgers is now just two years younger than Big Ben, who’s been retired for four years.
The Steelers love their run game, but it’s not like Rodgers has that many options at wideout. Sure, Metcalf is a proven veteran who can get the job done, but Pittsburgh was in the market for a receiver at the deadline. They failed to get Jakobi Meyers, someone who wound up going to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
At this current moment, Rodgers has Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, and Roman Wilson as his top receivers. Keep in mind, Wilson has just 114 receiving yards. He’s eighth on the team, as two running backs and three tight ends have more receiving yards than him. Rodgers, now more than he ever has before in his career, has to rely on RBs and TEs in the passing game.
Combined, his three tight ends have 513 receiving yards. Metcalf leads the way in receptions with 467 yards himself, and the next closest is TE Freiermuth with 227. Austin has 223, but those two combined have 17 fewer yards than Metcalf does by himself.
Some might think Roethlisberger makes a compelling argument, but see it as a bit tongue-in-cheek. Roethlisberger won two Super Bowls in part because of the weapons he had, like Hines Ward, Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell, and Heath Miller.
It’s also easy to see that Rodgers’ main weapon is Metcalf, and once he’s taken out of the equation, he’s left with next to nothing.