Steelers Now
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger made headlines with a curious statement on his Footbahlin podcast. The Steelers legend thinks the organization set him up for failure in his final season in 2021 with having rookie Kendrick Green as his center. Overall, it wasn’t a good offensive line for the 39-year-old quarterback to play behind.
He thinks the Steelers have set up 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers with a better supporting cast.
“I still think it’s funny, because they’re giving Aaron [Rodgers] DK and all these things, and I got a center that never played center before in my last year,” Roethlisberger said. “It’s amazing.”
Big Ben on Aaron Rodgers 1 year with Steelers: “Aaron got DK. And I got a center that never played center before.” 😂🤣😭 pic.twitter.com/FF58FcJswE
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) November 5, 2025
This isn’t the first time that Roethlisberger has been outspoken about the Steelers wasting a pick on Green in the third round.
“He was my center my last year. They drafted that guy to be my center. Well, last year, he didn’t even dress. And now they have him playing a little bit of fullback,” Roethlisberger said on his Footbahlin podcast in August of 2023. “Kevin Colbert and them drafted him to be my center my last year. And now he is playing fullback. But good for Kendrick.”
It seems like Roethlisberger is still miffed at general manager Kevin Colbert for wanting to part ways with him before the 2021 season.
“It was mostly Kevin,” Roethlisberger told Ron Cook in July of 2022. “I think (coach) Mike (Tomlin) was a little ready to move on, but I think he was OK with me coming back. I think Mr. (Art) Rooney really wanted me to come back last year to play.
“I thought I went out on my terms. I never wanted to stay too long. I know some people might think I did. … 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 might be at peace with his career ending after the 2021 season, but he apparently still holds a grudge with some of the personnel decisions made in that final year.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Big Ben Still Sore About End to Steelers Career
