Former Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley is talking about his relationship with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and his current play.
Talking on the Pat McAfee show, the Steelers OC from 2012-2017, said his relationship with Big Ben was “tenuous.”
“I was coming in, replacing a really good friend in him with Bruce Arians, but there was a definite job that had to be done,” said Haley.
But Haley also said they had a “good relationship.”
Roethlisberger gets the ball out as fast as any quarterback now and Haley says that started with him.
“What happened over those six years was Ben got the ball out fast and he appreciated getting the ball out fast to playmakers who then made good plays and he saved a lot of wear and tear so I think it was mission accomplished,” said Haley.
Haley says his job was to change Ben from a “backyard” football player, to one that became a pocket passer so he could still be playing at 39-years-old.
The question now though with Roethlisberger is his offensive line.
Haley questions whether or not he trusts his line.
“To me right now with the Steelers, does he trust these guys in front of him? It’s a whole new group, a new offensive line coach, a new center for the first time in how many years since he had (Maurkice) Pouncey, I mean those are all big items,” said Haley. “What I’m seeing is Ben needs to trust those guys up front right now and if he can . . . then they have a chance to play good football.”
Haley says he still “secretly” roots for the Steelers, mainly because his father, Dick played for the Steelers in the 1960s and was the team’s Director of Player Personnel from 1971-1990.
Haley is currently an offensive coordinator for a high school football team in Florida.