The Pittsburgh Steelers have had more than their fair share of Hall of Fame players in their history. The organization has some of the most definitively great players in Canton, OH. The Steelers have had two Super Bowl championship eras in their history. The tween teams between 2005 and 2011 and perhaps the greatest dynasty in NFL history in the 1970s.
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Steelers WR Hines Ward, QB Ben Roethlisberger, and LB James Harrison
It is a fun pastime for fans and sportscasters to compare players from different eras. Ben Roethlisberger was the quarterback during the Steelers’ last Super Bowl run and had an opportunity to play with some of the greatest receivers in team history.
In the latest episode of Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, the future Hall of Fame quarterback and his guest Kenny Pickett engaged in some speculation of their own. Co-host, Spencer T’eo asked Pickett what skill player from Roethlisberger’s career he would pick to play with and the answer came quickly.
“I’m going to go with AB (Antonio Brown),” Pickett said emphatically. “I got to watch him at practice, and I was like that guy is different. He’s a special, special player. Watching him growing up and then getting a chance to see him practice, I’m going with AB.”
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Steelers wide receivers, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders, celebrate a touchdown.
Pickett arrived at the University of Pittsburgh in 2017 and since the Steelers and Panthers share a practice facility, he did get to see Antonio Brown up close for two seasons on the practice field. Brown posted 101 and 104 catches during those two seasons which were his last in Pittsburgh. Pickett did not expound on any personal interactions with the troubled, yet talented receiver, so it was likely admiration from afar.
“I would say Pat [Freiermuth],” Roethlisberger answered. "I was mad I only got one year with Pat.”
Roethlisberger and Freiermuth formed a significant bond in their one season together. The future Hall of Fame quarterback has always had high praise for the third-year tight end and has made no secret of the fact. T’eo jumped in to advise him that Freiermuth was off the table because he did have a chance to throw to him in 2021.
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Steelers Ben Roethlisberger and Pat Freiermuth
“The only one that would be different is George [Pickens],” Roethlisberger replied. “I’ve watched him practice, just seems like an absolute freak of talent. Great hands, high points balls, and plays like a little guy but is a big, bodied guy. I don’t know him at all, met him once, seemed really nice. I hope he is able to keep the kind of attitude in check, everyone wants to be great. Everyone wants the ball.”
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George Pickens has only played one season in the NFL and has already demonstrated immense talent. It is not hyperbole to suggest that he has the best pair of hands in the NFL. Pickens’s ability on deep balls would have fit in perfectly with Roethlisberger’s aggressive style and presented significant opportunities for huge plays.
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George Pickens (14) Celebrates Two Point Conversion
The combination of a pre-elbow surgery Roethlisberger and Pickens would have probably exceeded his production with Plaxico Burress and Martavis Bryant as big targets on deep balls. Pickens’ pure ability might have allowed him to even challenge Brown who posted some of the best numbers in the history of the NFL with Roethlisberger as his quarterback.
The best part about these arguments is that they go on forever and no one is right or wrong. Younger fans are convinced that the modern NFL is far superior and older fans are equally sure that the game is being watered down. It is what makes sports great and the arguments that can't be won are why it remains popular year in and year out.
What do you think Steeler Nation? Are you surprised by either choice of the two quarterbacks? Comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
