The Pittsburgh Steelers enjoyed nearly two decades of success with Ben Roethlisberger under center, including three trips to the Super Bowl with two Lombardi Trophies brought to the city. The Kansas City Chiefs have started to experience a similar trajectory with the dynamic Patrick Mahomes leading the offense, something that has not gone unnoticed by Roethlisberger. It was only three days ago that the former Steelers quarterback brought up the method by which Mahomes tends to score, bringing us to Monday when Mahomes was once again on Roethlisberger's mind.
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Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger put together an incredible 41 fourth-quarter comebacks in his storied career.
Steelers' Roethlisberger Recognizes Mahomes' Greatness
When Roethlisberger was the quarterback for Pittsburgh, the game never really seemed like it was out of reach. That is for a very good reason, considering Roethlisberger put together an impressive 41 fourth-quarter comebacks and 53 game-winning drives. To put that into context, two players most see as the greatest ever, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, are the only two quarterbacks in NFL history with more fourth-quarter comebacks than Roethlisberger.
Game recognizes game because, and on his Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger podcast on Monday, Roethlisberger spoke on Mahomes' ability to always keep his team within reach of victory, even when it seems hopeless.
"You get so used to with Patrick being back there, I mean, he's the best, and with him being back there, like, literally, it's like the game is never over."
Despite the Chiefs losing their 2023 season opener to the Detroit Lions, the fact that Mahomes was playing quarterback meant his team was never fully out of contention. After a lifeless and disappointing start to the 2023 Steelers season losing 30-7 to the San Francisco 49ers, the entire franchise is hoping that some of that resiliency will come across on the field from here on out.
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Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger and Jerome Bettis after winning Super Bowl XL, one of three Super Bowl trips that Roethlisberger led the Steelers to.
Steelers Fans May Not Love Roethlisberger's Honesty
It's a usual occurrence for professional athletes to be fans of other athletes, even to the point of idolizing them. For Roethlisberger, I don't think it's to the point of idolizing Mahomes, but more one professional seeing something he recognizes in another's play. Every Steelers fan has their own favorite memory of Roethlisberger twisting and turning to escape Terrell Suggs or to throw a deep ball to Santonio Holmes. That is something Chiefs fans are experiencing in full force, and have been since Mahomes entered the league.
For all the accolades and highlights that Roethlisberger put together during his historic career, Mahomes almost puts a cherry on top with his flair and flashy style. Some from the old-school football class may scoff and shrug at the glitz that the Chiefs employ to get the job done, but Roethlisberger doesn't feel that way. In fact, it seems as though Roethlisberger wished he would have been able to do some of the things we all watch Mahomes do on a weekly basis.
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Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger enjoyed similar early success just like Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City.
Roethlisberger actually preceded his comments by making sure the fans of the Chiefs knew the respect that he holds for Mahomes. This is in spite of the former Steelers quarterback making a quip on his last show about the cheap scores Mahomes gets from the fancy passes and unorthodox manner he is allowed to play within.
"It just shows how much confidence you have in him, which you should -- don't worry Chiefs' fans, I think he's great."
The monotone he said it in may not ring absolutely genuine, but he continued by admitting something many Steelers fans may not be completely comfortable hearing. One would think that a career sure to end in Canton, multiple championships, and endless memories would be enough, but there is a twinge of jealousy whenever Roethlisberger watches Mahomes ball out on the field.
"Yeah, I guess I'm just jealous of all the little flip throws he can make."
That comment sent his co-host into a fit of laughter, mentioning that it's the tone and sarcasm in Roethlisberger's voice that is giving legs to the seemingly off-handed comments. However, this is now the second consecutive show of Roethlisberger's where he went out of his way to make some amusing remark regarding Mahomes. Several days ago, it was the fancy stuff he does to score, Monday it was jealousy; perhaps we're leading up to seeing Mahomes himself on the show.
Roethlisberger may be jealous of what Mahomes is currently doing, but that is not the opinion held by the fans that Roethlisberger dazzled for nearly 20 seasons. He may envy what the Chiefs are doing, but we'll take Roethlisberger any day of the week, although adding a few flip throws for touchdowns wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.
Who brings more to the table: Roethlisberger or Mahomes in their prime? Comment below!
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