Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger Exposed By Stephen A. Smith For Losing The Steeler Way

The Pittsburgh Steelers and their dedicated fan base have been reeling from the aftermath of a gut-wrenching home loss to the New England Patriots, a defeat that has left a sour taste in the mouths of all involved. This loss came on the heels of an unexpected stumble against two of the NFL's 2023 bottom-feeders, dealing a significant blow to the Steelers' once-promising playoff aspirations.

At 7-6, the Steelers find themselves embroiled in a tight race for a playoff spot in the AFC, currently sitting in 6th place in the playoff picture. The AFC playoff landscape is riddled with six different teams, all boasting identical 7-6 records, making the race for postseason football a nail-biting affair. Astonishingly, if the season were to conclude today, the Steelers would somehow secure a playoff berth, further adding to the intrigue of this rollercoaster season.

However, amidst this whirlwind of uncertainty and ups and downs, a prevailing sentiment has emerged, voiced by football analysts, media pundits, and loyal Steelers fans alike. It's a sentiment that laments the fading aura of what it means to be a Steeler, with the belief that the cherished tradition and the Steeler way have eroded over time.

Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers' former legendary quarterback, took to his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, on Monday to reflect on the moment he sensed the Steeler way slipping away. He expressed his concern about the lack of leaders within the Steelers' offense who could uphold the values and traditions that defined the franchise during its glory days.

Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger Ripped By Stephen A. Smith

During ESPN's First Take show, Stephen A. Smith, a mega star and passionate Steelers fan, laid bare a critical perspective, suggesting that Roethlisberger bore some responsibility for the cultural shift within the team, especially during Mike Tomlin's tenure. Smith didn't mince words when he called out Roethlisberger.

"Your hands ain't clean in all of this. Aren't you somewhat responsible for the transitioning as it pertains to culture? Particularly when Mike Tomlin was there? And you're there… you stayed too long. Last three years in the league, Ben Roethlisberger should have been gone. He was a statue."

While Smith's critique was undoubtedly sharp, it's important to recognize that the issue at hand isn't solely Roethlisberger's. Roethlisberger acknowledged that he attempted to preserve the team's traditions, but conceded that there was a palpable disconnect between him and some of the younger offensive players. Regardless, Smith doubled down on his stance on blaming Roethlisberger.

"I’m just saying, if you’re Big Ben Roethlisberger, I thought you stayed a couple of years too long and I thought you sort of curtailed or stymied the transition so the era would continue offensively I’m talking about. I don’t think he did enough. I thought he stayed around too long and I didn’t think that he was a person that should have been around."

In reality, the Steelers organization as a whole shoulders a significant portion of the blame for failing to prepare adequately for Roethlisberger's impending departure. The drafting of Josh Dobbs in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft and Mason Rudolph in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft proved inadequate in identifying a successor to the Steelers' long-standing quarterback.

The organization's decision to draft Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft marked an attempt to address the void left by Roethlisberger. While Pickett has shown promise as a leader off the field, questions linger about his ability to orchestrate the offense effectively and contribute touchdowns through the air—a critical element for a franchise quarterback.

The Steelers now face the challenge of rejuvenating the fading Steeler way, a task that requires leadership and cultural preservation. Whether Pickett can rise to the occasion and become the locker room's guiding voice remains to be seen. The blame should not fall solely on Roethlisberger for overstaying his welcome, as his final two seasons in the NFL were in line with his career averages. In 2020, he played in 15 games, amassing 3,803 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. The following year, he continued his durability, starting all 16 games and achieving 3,740 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. These statistics are quite impressive, especially considering they were produced during his 17th and 18th seasons in the NFL.

These numbers produced in Roethlisberger’s final two seasons as the Steelers quarterback make it hard to state that he overstayed his welcome. Instead, the organization's failure to secure a worthy successor during his twilight years stands out as the primary source of their current predicament.

In the NFL, the fate of a team often rests on the shoulders of its starting quarterback. The Steelers' failure to ensure a smooth transition at this critical position, while retaining an aging Roethlisberger, underscores the root of their struggles.

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