PITTSBURGH — It seems not everyone in Steelers Nation is thrilled about the team’s new-look offense — especially former franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The two-time Super Bowl champion made headlines this week after taking a subtle — yet unmistakable — jab at how the Pittsburgh Steelers have surrounded Aaron Rodgers with talent in his first season with the team.
Speaking on his Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger podcast, the Steelers legend couldn’t resist pointing out what he sees as a double standard in roster support between his final years and Rodgers’ arrival. “Aaron got DK [Metcalf],” Roethlisberger said with a smirk. “And I got a center that never played center before.”
The quote instantly went viral, sparking debate across social media and sports talk shows. Fans were quick to dissect whether Roethlisberger was joking — or genuinely bitter about how the franchise handled his final seasons compared to their treatment of Rodgers.
During Roethlisberger’s last few years in Pittsburgh, the team struggled to protect him behind a shaky offensive line and failed to build consistent chemistry on offense. Rodgers, meanwhile, was traded to the Steelers this offseason and has been given a star-studded supporting cast — including newly acquired DK Metcalf, George Pickens, and Najee Harris in a revamped, aggressive offensive scheme.
While Roethlisberger has often been candid — even self-deprecating — in retirement, this latest comment struck a nerve. Many fans saw it as a lighthearted jab from a proud veteran, while others sensed frustration. “You can hear the jealousy,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Ben’s still mad they didn’t build around him like this.”
Still, others defended Roethlisberger, saying he earned the right to speak his mind after carrying the franchise for nearly two decades. “He’s not wrong,” another fan wrote. “Ben had to do it the hard way.”
Rodgers, for his part, has stayed quiet — letting his play speak for itself. The Steelers are off to one of their best starts in recent memory, and Rodgers has quickly become a fan favorite in Pittsburgh.
Whether Roethlisberger’s comment was bitterness, banter, or both, one thing is certain: the Steelers legend still knows how to stir the pot — and Steelers fans are eating it up.
One quote, one smirk — and the NFL world can’t stop talking.
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