Retired Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger tells Ron Cook that former General Manager Kevin Colbert didn’t want him back for the 2021 season.
Cook wrote about their 45-minute conversation for the Post-Gazette Friday.
Roethlisberger, going into his first July in 18 years without having to report to Steelers Training Camp is enjoying being a father and is comfortable where he is at.
But speaking on his final season, Roethlisberger added that Head Coach Mike Tomlin was a “little” ready to move on and that it was team owner Art Rooney II that wanted him back for one last year.
While content with his retirement, he believes that he can still play and that he did pretty well last year.
“I thought I went out on my terms,” Roethlisberger told Cook in the PG. “I never wanted to stay too long. I know some people might think I did. ‘You stayed last year.’ But I thought I played pretty well last year, to be honest. My arm feels like I still could go out and play. I’m pretty confident I could still play.
But it’s every day. It’s mental. Not having to prepare for camp and the season has been the biggest blessing for me. I’m fine with where I’m at with everything.”
Roethlisberger also talks about how the game had passed him by in a sense.
He says when he played it was about the team and now it appears to be more about the individual player.
“They’re treated so well in college,” Roethlisberger told Cook. “Now, this new NIL stuff, which is unbelievable. They’re treated so special. They’re coddled at a young age because college coaches need them to win, too. I know coach [Terry] Hoeppner never coddled me [at Miami of Ohio]. Neither did [Bill] Cowher.”
Read the great piece from Cook in the Post-Gazette here. Roethlisberger also talks about his most memorable moments, why the Super Bowl XLIII pass to Santonio Holmes doesn’t get enough credit and even some regrets.
Roethlisberger may not have to get ready for Training Camp in Latrobe, but he does have to get his arm ready. He's throwing out the first pitch on July 29, at PNC Park to kick off Yinzerpalooza.
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