Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger Goes On Epic Rant About The NFL: "Dumb, Dumb, Dumb"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten two preseason games under their belts in 2025. With a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars and a loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Steelers are now 1-1 in the preseason. They finish up with a road game against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday to wrap up the exhibition slate. The NFL season is rapidly approaching, and fans across the league are buzzing with excitement. One major change coming in 2025 is the league’s decision to phase out the traditional chain crew for first-down measurements, opting instead for virtual camera-based technology.

The shift away from the chain crew has already sparked plenty of debate among fans who value the drama and tradition of watching the sticks come out in critical moments. For decades, those tense sideline measurements have been one of the most suspenseful parts of football, and many believe replacing them with camera technology takes away from the spirit of the game. 

Critics argue that the NFL is focusing too heavily on modernization at the expense of preserving elements that make the sport unique. Fans all over the NFL of various teams are not happy with the change.

Steelers former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger made his stance on the matter clear during Tuesday night’s episode of his podcast Footbahlin. He went on what fans are calling a small, but epic rant about the league’s decision, voicing frustration with the loss of one of football’s most recognizable traditions. 

"Dumb, dumb, dumb," Roethlisberger said on his podcast. "It didn’t speed anything up and why did they put it on when it was a yard short. It wasn’t even like it was inches. What are we doing? You are just sitting there, and Bob [Pompeani] and Charlie [Batch] are like, 'You are seeing exactly what we are seeing. We are all waiting for it too.'"

Roethlisberger’s comments struck a chord with fans who share his concern that the NFL is moving further away from the human side of the sport. His passionate reaction highlighted the ongoing clash between technology and tradition, a debate that will continue to heat up as the 2025 season draws closer.

Another point Roethlisberger emphasized was that the change does not actually speed up the game. He struggled to identify any benefits that could outweigh the value of a traditional chain crew. The one reassuring detail is that the NFL will still have a crew on hand to monitor the technology and step in if anything goes wrong.

Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger Jokes About NFL Virtual Measurement

It was very funny when Roethlisberger pointed out that the announcers, Bob Pompeani and Charlie Batch, seemed just as confused as he was. The initial idea behind adding virtual measurements was that it would help speed up tricky first-down calls, but in practice via the preseason, it did not have the intended effect. Roethlisberger was also puzzled about why the technology was used on a play that was obviously short. 

He joked that, visually, it looked very strange and awkward. His comments highlighted the learning curve both players and viewers will face with this new system and underscored that, while the NFL is pushing for innovation, fans and former players alike still have plenty of questions about how it will actually impact the game.

As the world continues to advance, the NFL will also become increasingly entrenched in modernized technology. Over the coming years, many fans will wonder what other changes the league will introduce. It is clear that Roethlisberger does not like this particular change, and he made his feelings about it very clear to the NFL and to fans alike.

How do you feel about the NFL going away from the chains and using new technology in 2025? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me.

#SteelerNation