Steelers Now
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had a narrative attached to him during his career that he did not stay in shape and work hard during the offseason. Roethlisberger preferred to not throw much in the offseason months, so he would be fresh for the season. This method got some backlash, as talking heads thought he wasn’t building a strong rapport with his receivers.
Former Steelers wide receiver Ryan Switzer defended the future Hall of Fame quarterback, posting on X, “I always never understood the narrative that @_BigBen7 didn’t work hard, watch film, etc. He knew what we were playing & where to attack it better than anyone I was around. Most of what he said was going to happen during the week happened on Sunday.”
I always never understood the narrative that @_BigBen7 didn’t work hard, watch film, etc. He knew what we were playing & where to attack it better than anyone I was around. Most of what he said was going to happen during the week happened on Sunday.
— Ryan Switzer (@Switz) June 26, 2025
Switzer also reflected on the 2018 season, which was a promising year until the Steelers collapsed down the stretch, losing four of their last six games.
“Listen to me when I tell you that @_BigBen7 was absolutely dialed that year. Called an entire half of a game by HIMSELF! Never seen anything like it,” Switzer wrote.
“We really felt we were the best in the world during that stretch we won 6 straight. Offense was so easy. Hit a 3 game slid late November early December that cost us. Phantom PI call in NO on @joehaden23.”
Listen to me when I tell you that @_BigBen7 was absolutely dialed that year. Called an entire half of a game by HIMSELF! Never seen anything like it. https://t.co/1sR6bbdJ1f
— Ryan Switzer (@Switz) June 26, 2025
Switzer also touched on the 2019 season when Roethlisberger suffered a season-ending elbow injury in Week 2, and how that affected his role on the team.
“Coming out that year I felt like I was going to go stupid in my 3rd year. Ben & I were clicking, JUJU was moving outside. We got smoked against NE but I was 6 catches on 6 targets. Ben tears his elbow week 2. Week 3 they move JUJU back inside & take me off every personnel group.
“I’d have to check but I think we went 5 wide in the win vs NE over 50% of the snaps. Ben’s call. He was playing backyard football. Orchestrated everything from the LOS.”
Switzer added, “I played more in week 1 vs NE than I did the rest of the season combined.”
Coming out that year I felt like I was going to go stupid in my 3rd year. Ben & I were clicking, JUJU was moving outside. We got smoked against NE but I was 6 catches on 6 targets. Ben tears his elbow week...
