Ben Roethlisberger Spots Potential Bijan Robinson-Sized Mistake In Steelers' Roster

The Pittsburgh Steelers will begin the 2026 regular season against an Atlanta Falcons offense built to test the area of their remodeled defense that concerns one of the franchise's most accomplished players. Ben Roethlisberger sees a potential weakness in the middle, and Atlanta can expose it immediately.

The Falcons can attack with Bijan Robinson, one of football's most complete running backs, before bringing the powerful Brian Robinson Jr. into the same backfield rotation. Pittsburgh kept eight linebackers on its initial 53-man roster, but that total includes its outside pass rushers. Only Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb and Carson Bruener were retained as true inside options.

Roethlisberger focused on that distinction during an episode of Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger. He questioned whether Pittsburgh has enough downhill force behind Queen and suggested the club's decision to carry four quarterbacks may have cost it an opportunity to reinforce a position that Atlanta is uniquely equipped to challenge.

"You've got a running back in that backfield, No. 7, who is an absolute stud," Roethlisberger said. "You better be ready to stop the run, right? You better be ready. Is Payton Wilson your downhill run stopper? Okay, you've got one guy [Patrick Queen]."

That does not amount to Roethlisberger dismissing Wilson. The third-year linebacker produced 109 tackles, six tackles for loss and two sacks across 17 games in 2025. His speed and range make him valuable, particularly when Pittsburgh needs to cover space or chase plays toward the sideline.

The question is whether the unit has enough physicality when Atlanta runs directly at it. Queen is an every-down defender, but the depth is less settled. Holcomb has starting experience, while Bruener is more of a special teams guru.

"I'm just asking. You're in Week 1," Roethlisberger said. "I feel like there is a spot there."

Roethlisberger expanded on his concern by discussing Pittsburgh's allocation of roster spots. The Steelers kept Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar, giving Mike McCarthy four quarterbacks but reducing the flexibility available elsewhere.

The former quarterback also said he would have kept Elandon Roberts, whose downhill style gave Pittsburgh a proven answer against power-running teams during his previous stint with the organization. Roberts was not included on the initial roster, leaving Roethlisberger to question whether the club became too concerned with protecting its secondary and developmental quarterbacks at the expense of interior defensive depth.

His criticism identifies a specific matchup rather than a broad complaint. Roethlisberger spent 18 seasons diagnosing NFL defenses and recognizing where an opponent would apply pressure. His career accolades do not make every roster opinion correct, but this one cannot be brushed aside before Pittsburgh faces two established runners.

The Steelers clearly made a calculated choice. Keeping Howard and Allar protects two possible pieces of the franchise's future, while Rudolph provides stability behind Rodgers. Releasing any of those quarterbacks could have exposed a young passer to waivers or removed the experienced backup McCarthy trusts.

That calculation still carries an immediate cost. A fourth quarterback is unlikely to affect any outcome unless something goes badly wrong. A fifth inside linebacker with legitimate run-stopping experience could have played defensive snaps, handled special teams duties or protected Pittsburgh if Queen or Wilson were forced off the field.

Steelers Receive Immediate Test Of Their Linebacker Gamble

Patrick Graham does not need his defense to erase Atlanta's rushing attack completely. He needs sound fits, clean tackling and enough early-down success to prevent the Falcons from controlling the game through favorable third downs. 

If Pittsburgh contains both Robinsons with its current personnel, Roethlisberger's concern could become a major reason for optimism. It would show that Graham can manufacture sturdiness without sacrificing the speed that Queen and Wilson bring to the field. If Bijan consistently reaches the secondary untouched, however, the four-quarterback decision will receive an uncomfortable amount of attention.

Roethlisberger has located the pressure point before the first meaningful snap. Now Pittsburgh must prove that its roster was assembled with a complete answer, not merely hope that its two starting inside linebackers remain healthy and solve every problem themselves.

Does Roethlisberger have a legitimate concern about Pittsburgh's linebacker depth, or will Queen and Wilson silence it against Atlanta? Share your Steelers take with @anthonyghalkias on X, and follow along for more roster analysis throughout the 2026 season.

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