Steelers Legendary Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger Critical Over Mike Tomlin's Decision On Offense

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a very successful 2023 preseason, with many young players on the offensive side of the ball showing that they are ready to make a leap in performance this upcoming season. However, long-time Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger was critical over the lack of playing time the young starting offense saw, and thought Head Coach Mike Tomlin would have given them more playing time to prepare for the regular season.

Steelers Former Quarterback Critical Over Playing Time In Preseason

Roethlisberger wanted to see the starting offense play more football in the preseason. Granted, everything he said in this episode of his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, was after just the first two preseason games of 2023 - so prior to the third game against the Atlanta Falcons in which the starters played more than the first two games. Roethlisberger stated he liked the way the offense played in the first game, and thought one drive was enough for the first week of the preseason. 

Where he began to get critical was when he started to discuss the second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. The offense played two drives, however the second possession only lasted one play where Kenny Pickett found Pat Freiermuth for a 25-yard touchdown. Roethlisberger said he was shocked Tomlin pulled the starters after the Freiermuth touchdown and thought they didn't play enough situational football. 

"Now I'll say this, I was really surprised that he [Tomlin] pulled them after that. I get it, you saw what you wanted, two series and two scores, but I don't know how many plays they had, but it couldn't of been more than a dozen. I was just surprised because I think with only three preseason games, I would think what Mike would want to see is some situational football from his starters." 

In the game against Buffalo, the starting offense was so efficient that they didn't find themselves in any difficult situations. Getting a long 62-yard rushing touchdown on the first drive and then being set up nicely on the second drive thanks to an electrifying punt return by Calvin Austin. The offense succeeded in the situations they were given, but Roethlisberger is right, you are not always dealt those ideal situations offensively. 

The Steelers offense played the hand they were dealt, and leaving them on the field longer hoping to find themselves in more difficult situations is not worth the risk of injury to any key players. They are undoubtedly practicing plays and schemes for the more difficult situations such as fourth downs, third and short, and even plays where they are backed up in their own territory. These are the situations Roethlisberger wanted to see.

"I didn't see a third and short, a short yardage play. I didn't see a backed up play. I didn't see a red zone play. I didn't see that situational football that he [Tomlin] leans so heavy on. He preaches situational football, you didn't really see that from the offense. So I was just surprised."

Now again, these comments were made prior to the Steelers third preseason game against the Falcons where we saw some more situational football and saw the starters play some longer drives. We saw some successful goal line runs that ended up being touchdowns from both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. We also saw some third down conversions - which is much more situational football than what was seen in the game against the Bills. 

Roethlisberger's comments and concerns are definitely for good reason, as things don't always go as smoothly as they have for the Steelers in the 2023 preseason. They will undoubtedly be put in more uncomfortable and unique situations once the regular season begins, but the young offense showed poise and improvement from the 2022 season, which gives them a good chance they will succeed no matter the situation they are in. 

Editors note - This podcast was released hours before the teams final preseason game. 

What do you think of Roethlisberger's comments? Let us know in the comments below!

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