The Pittsburgh Steelers have had some great quarterback play throughout the history of the team, and the position is an important reason that the franchise has been able to win six Super Bowls. Terry Bradshaw won four during the 1970s while playing with some dominant defenses, and the formula was similar for Ben Roethlisberger when he won two Super Bowls during the 2000s. Pittsburgh is on the hunt for its next great quarterback, but it could be years before the organization is able to find the next franchise player at the position. After all, Roethlisberger didn't come into the fold until over 20 years after Bradshaw had retired.
Matt Freed / Post-Gazette
Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger smiles during a practice in Pittsburgh.
It is even more impressive looking back on Roethlisberger's two Super Bowl wins, as he was playing during the same time as some of the all time greats at the quarterback position. This included Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Phillip Rivers, Peyton Manning, as well as Eli Manning. The league was extremely talented at the position, and guys like Brees and Rodgers were only able to make it to one Super Bowls, while Rivers never had that kind of success.
Roethlisberger was always overshadowed by some of those quarterbacks of his generation, but now it is starting to happen with the modern day quarterbacks that are currently running the league. Reputable NFL journalist, Tyler Dunne, recently published a project where he ranked the top 30 quarterbacks of the Super Bowl-era, and he put Roethlisberger at 16th. Josh Allen was ranked 15, and Steelers fans would be happy to know Bradshaw was ranked 14th. Dunne had some kind words to share about Roethlisberger in this piece.
"Virtually impossible to wrangle to the turf." Dunne wrote. "No play was ever dead. Winning 178 games, including two Super Bowls, in the era of Brady & Manning is a remarkable achievement. Big Ben’s cavalier, backyard style of play kept the Steelers alive in any game and his SB-winning drive (and pinpoint winning throw) vs. the Arizona Cardinals will be legendary for all of our lifetimes."
Brady and Patrick Mahomes were the two names at the top of the list, which completely makes sense. However, no other quarterback in the league should be ranked over Roethlisberger outside of Mahomes and probably Aaron Rodgers, who was ranked 10th. Allen is coming off of a terrific season where he won the league's MVP award, but he has not been able to get his team over the hump in the postseason.
Peter Diana / Post-Gazette
Ben Roethlisberger and Josh Allen greet one another after a game.
There is no denying that Allen will go down as a great quarterback in the NFL, but he has not accomplished enough quite yet to be ranked ahead of Roethlisberger. The former Steelers quarterback led his team to three Super Bowl appearances, with two victories. Allen is still fighting to get to the big game for the first time in his career. This was actually one of the reasons Dunne had the young gunslinger ranked 15th.
"He’s the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 reason these Buffalo Bills are in perennial title contention." Dunne said.
To any fan that watches the NFL, it is hard to say that the Bills are in perennial title contention. The first couple of losses to the Kansas City Chiefs in the postseason were cute and seemed to be the start of a rivalry, but Buffalo has never beaten Mahomes and the Chiefs during the playoffs. Buffalo has lost four times. At a certain point, that becomes a blemish on Allen's resume, not a highlight.
AP Photo / Ed Zurga
Two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, Bills' Josh Allen (left) and Chiefs Patrick Mahomes (right) meet each other at midfield after playing against one another.
Steelers Great Can Certainly Be Passed Up By Josh Allen
There is a very good chance that Allen will end his career with better accomplishments and statistics than Roethlisberger. He just won his first MVP, which is something Roethlisberger never came close to winning.
The only other area Allen has the advantage is All-Pros, but Roethlisberger still has a sizable lead in Pro Bowls. The former Steelers also led the league in passing yards twice, which is something Allen has yet to do. Not to mention the three AFC titles and two Lombardi Trophies.
What do you think about the list from Dunne? Where do you rank Roethlisberger and Allen?
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