Steelers Legend Ben Roethlisberger Sends Alarming Warning About Ravens' Jacoby Brissett

The Pittsburgh Steelers have plenty to worry about in the AFC North, but former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger believes one struggling division rival could become a bigger problem than people realize. The Baltimore Ravens have lost four consecutive games and are sitting at 4-5, hardly where anyone expected them to be midway through the season. However, Baltimore recently acquired veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, and Roethlisberger believes that move could make the Ravens more dangerous than their record suggests.

The Steelers are 6-2 and have put themselves in a strong position under Mike McCarthy. Cincinnati is also making noise in the division, while Baltimore has been trying to survive without injured quarterback Lamar Jackson. Losing Jackson would normally give opposing defenses a reason to feel better about facing the Ravens. However, Roethlisberger sees something in Brissett that could make life difficult for Pittsburgh and the rest of the division.

During a recent episode of Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, the former Steelers quarterback discussed Baltimore's decision to bring in Brissett. He acknowledged that the Ravens haven't looked particularly threatening lately, but he doesn't believe their offense should be dismissed. In fact, Roethlisberger admitted that the veteran quarterback's arrival makes him a little nervous.

"What makes me nervous is the fact that Jacoby Brissett comes in," Roethlisberger said. "He's a guy who can run an offense, he can call it, see it and change it. He can throw the football pretty well. What's he going to do, and what we need to be alert for, is him just getting Zay Flowers the ball and getting Derrick Henry the ball and doing enough to where they're a little scarier than I thought."

That's an interesting admission from someone who spent his entire NFL career battling Baltimore. Roethlisberger understands how difficult it can be to play against the Ravens, especially when they have a quarterback capable of managing the offense. Brissett isn't Jackson, and nobody should pretend he brings the same explosive ability to the position. However, he has enough experience to recognize what defenses are doing and get the football to his best players.

That last part is what makes Roethlisberger's concerns worth discussing. Baltimore still has Henry, one of the NFL's most physical running backs, and Flowers remains a dangerous weapon in the passing game. The Ravens haven't consistently gotten the most out of either player during their recent struggles. A quarterback who can simply keep the offense organized might make a bigger difference than some fans expect.

Roethlisberger also pointed out how Brissett's presence could change the way opponents defend Henry. Without a reliable passing attack, defenses can crowd the line of scrimmage and make running the football considerably more difficult. The former Steelers quarterback believes Baltimore's new addition could force opponents to rethink that approach.

"You can't just load the box against Henry now with Jacoby Brissett," Roethlisberger said. "He's been in the league long enough and he knows how to play the game well enough. ... The Ravens are going to be a team to watch moving forward."

Steelers Cannot Afford To Overlook Baltimore's New Quarterback

There is a reason Roethlisberger isn't ready to count Baltimore out. Brissett has started 73 NFL games, and the Ravens acquired him from the Arizona Cardinals after injuries created serious problems at quarterback. Jackson has been sidelined with a thumb injury, while Tyler Huntley's injury further complicated the situation. Baltimore needed someone who could step into the offense and give its playmakers a chance to succeed.

That doesn't mean Brissett will suddenly turn the Ravens into a championship contender. Baltimore has struggled on both sides of the football, and a new quarterback won't automatically solve every problem. However, Roethlisberger's point is that the Ravens don't necessarily need spectacular quarterback play to become competitive again. They need someone who can keep drives alive and prevent defenses from focusing entirely on Henry.

For Pittsburgh, the bigger lesson is that division rivals can change quickly during an NFL season. The Steelers have earned their position near the top of the AFC North, but there is still plenty of football remaining. Baltimore might look vulnerable today, but Roethlisberger believes Brissett gives the Ravens a reason to be taken seriously moving forward.

Do you agree with Ben Roethlisberger that Jacoby Brissett could make the Baltimore Ravens more dangerous, or should the Pittsburgh Steelers have little reason to worry? Share your thoughts with me on X at @anthonyghalkias.

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