Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger's Legend-Status Challenged By Horrific Graphic From Fox Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently in a dark place when it comes to the quarterback position. The organization has been looking for its next franchise-quarterback ever since the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger following the 2021 season. Roethlisberger found ways to win all the way until the end of his career, which spanned for 18 seasons. He was one of the best quarterbacks of his time, yet he is constantly overshadowed by the other quarterbacks that shared the stage with him during his time in the league.

Roethlisberger entered the league in 2004, which meant he shared the quarterback spotlight with players like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Eli Manning, and Philip Rivers. Aside from Brady, none of those quarterbacks have more Super Bowls than Roethlisberger, yet he is often stuck in the shadows of some of those guys. This is showcased on a graphic from Fox Sports that the program showed on Tuesday.

Most of the quarterbacks that are above Roethlisberger in this graphic are there for good reason. In no world was the former Pittsburgh quarterback better than Brady, Peyton, or Patrick Mahomes. The most shocking part of this was Roethlisberger being stuck below Kurt Warner, who Roethlisberger actually beat in Super Bowl XLIII. 

Warner had an impressive career, but it is hard to argue that it was better than Roethlisberger's. Warner has two Most Valuable Player Awards, but that is really the only area of the game that he out-classed the Steelers legend. Warner went to three Super Bowls and lost two of them, while Roethlisberger went two for three in Super Bowls. 

Warner only played 12 years in the NFL, but Roethlisberger has nearly doubled him, at least, in every single major statistical category. Not to mention, Roethlisberger took away Warner's chance at securing a second Lombardi Trophy when he led the Steelers down the field and delivered a pinpoint pass to Santonio Holmes in the corner of the end zone to win Super Bowl XLIII. 

Roethlisberger never quite claimed the individual accolades that Warner did, but his team won more. The former Steeler was also voted to six Pro Bowls to Warner's four. The length of their careers is different, but that just means Roethlisberger was able to make an immediate impact while Warner had to wait for his opportunity.

Also, if people wanted to get technical, some of Warner's biggest achievements didn't even occur in the 21st century. That is what the graphic is representing, and his lone Super Bowl victory came at the end of the 1999 NFL season. One of his MVP seasons was in 1999 as well, as was one of his First Team All-Pro years.

Steelers' Legend Is Being Caught By The New Class Of Quarterbacks

While they haven't been in the NFL nearly as long as Roethlisberger was, some of the new-era of quarterbacks have already caught up to the future Hall of Famer. Both Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen were listed on the same tier as Roethlisberger, and they are each the frontrunners for the 2024 MVP Award. Mahomes has easily cleared Roethlisberger, and he is well on his way to surpassing Brady as the best to ever do it.

Another quarterback mentioned in the same breath as Roethlisberger is Matthew Stafford, who just wrapped up his 16th season in the NFL. This comparison seems apt, as Stafford has never been the best quarterback in the league, but has always been respected. His future is up in the air, but there is the possibility of him suiting up in the black and gold in 2025.

What do you think about Roethlisberger's placement on the graphic? Let us know in the comments below!

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