Tony Romo appears to be jealous of Ben Roethlisberger. The ex-Cowboys quarterback retired in his late 30s to call games, while Roethlisberger is still playing in them. That fact seems to eat away at Romo, who rips on Roethlisberger every chance he receives.
Romo’s bias was on full display Sunday during the Steelers’ 19-13 win over the Titans. In the second half, Romo seldom gave Roethlisberger credit or even the benefit of the doubt. On a roughing the passer penalty, Romo claimed Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons was pushed into Roethlisberger, even though Simmons clearly hit Roethlisberger below the knees. When Roethlisberger misfired on a throw to James Washington in the red zone, Romo said Diontae Johnson was wide open, and would’ve had a “walk-in touchdown” if Roethlisberger just “waited a second.” But the truth is, Johnson didn’t even start his route when Roethlisberger threw the ball.
Admittedly, Roethlisberger didn’t play well Sunday. The soon-to-be 40-year-old QB threw for just 148 yards and 0 touchdowns. The Steelers won on the strength of their defense, which forced four Titans turnovers. But still: Romo’s campaigning against Roethlisberger was unnecessary. After Joe Schobert’s incredible fourth quarter interception, Romo said he was flabbergasted the Steelers were in position to win the game.
“I don’t how this just happened, but Pittsburgh could take the lead. I did not think they were going to have enough offense,” Romo said. “I thought Tennessee would get another field goal or touchdown in the second half at some point, and thought it would be too much. But somehow, Pittsburgh keeps doing it.”
When the Titans turned the ball over for a fourth time, Romo flat-out said the Steelers had no business winning the game.
“You’re almost like, ‘If we don’t just give them the ball, we’re gonna win.’ They keep saying this each game. The ball is so important,” Romo said. “Even without Derrick Henry, when they lose the turnover battle, they lose. When the win the turnover battle, they win, regardless of anything else right now. That’s the most important thing. The ball, the ball, the ball. And they’re losing that today.”
Interestingly, Romo didn’t level the same criticism towards Ryan Tannehill, who was equally unimpressive, and threw an interception. But at least Steelers fans can take solace in the fact that Romo also laid into Matt Canada. He wasn’t a fan of Canada’s play-calling, especially when he called an ill-fated pitch to Najee Harris after Tennessee’s last turnover of the afternoon.
“I didn’t love that play call though, either,” Romo said. “You already know you don’t have the best offensive line in the world. There’s a lot of movement, just a slow-developing counter.”
Even though Romo makes $17 million annually to announce games, he bristles at quarterbacks to whom he feels superior. It’s clear Roethlisberger is in that class, even though he’s won a Super Bowl ring, and is on his way to the Hall of Fame.
Maybe Romo will be on the call for his induction.