Ben Roethlisberger offers warning about one current Steelers fan favorite

After Ben Roethlisberger played his last NFL game with the Pittsburgh Steelers at the end of the 2022 season, many wondered what was next for the beloved quarterback. While it's become common for skilled and personable players to break into coaching or broadcasting at the end of their playing career, Roethlisberger was never expected to land anywhere near the media. The former quarterback shocked the Steel City when he started his podcast: "Footbahlin With Ben Roethlisberger."

The podcast has quickly become a hit as fans are given the laid-back and unfiltered version of Roethlisberger that was typically behind closed doors throughout his career. After hosting Steelers legends like Mike Tomlin, Ryan Shazier, Bill Cowher, Maurkice Pouncey, James Harrison and Heath Miller, fans were eager for Kenny Pickett to join the show. Roethlisberger finally hosted his successor on Sunday, and the podcast did not disappoint. 

The two covered a variety of topics and answered questions sent in by fans. When asked by producer Spencer Te'o what skill player each quarterback wished they had an opportunity to play with from the other's career, Pickett quickly answered with Antonio Brown. The young quarterback admired the flashy receiver while sharing the facility as a member of the University of Pittsburgh's football team. Though initially, Roethlisberger spoke on wanting more time with Pat Freiermuth, he switched gears and spoke on wide receiver George Pickens. 

“I’ve watched him practice, just seems like an absolute freak of talent. Great hands, high points balls and plays like a little guy but is a big, bodied guy."

The Steelers got a steal with Pickens. The receiver out of the University of Georgia was an undeniable first-round talent that fell to the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft where the Steelers were able to pick him up. The 6-foot-3 receiver was passed up due to a knee injury and was hurt by talks of a questionable attitude. Rumors of poor pre-draft meetings surfaced, but that didn't deter Tomlin and Kevin Colbert. After complimenting his athletic ability, Roethlisberger briefly touched on Pickens' attitude.

"I hope that he's able to keep that kind of attitude in check, you know. Like you said, everyone wants to be great, everyone wants the ball. But sometimes the great ones were able to be put into the right place catching and being a great teammate. You know and they all want the ball, they all want to help and he is an absolute talent and I'm excited to see what's going to happen."

The Steelers Have Had Attitude Issues In The Past

The Steelers don't have anything to worry about at the moment with Pickens. Though the receiver has a chip-on-his-shoulder mentality, he's been a team-first guy for the black and gold. Roethlisberger, however, may be alluding to skill players with attitude problems that he's thrown to in the past. 

In 2016, Martavis Bryant missed the entirety of the 2016 NFL season due to substance-abuse suspensions. Returning from his suspension, Bryant was quickly unhappy with his role as JuJu Smith-Schuster surpassed him on the depth chart. It didn't take long for Bryant to stir the pot on social media and verbalize his desire to leave Pittsburgh. 

Oddly enough, Brown's downfall also began with Smith-Schuster's success. When Smith-Schuster won the 2018 team MVP, Brown was furious. Brown and Roethlisberger were rumored to have an argument at practice leading up to Week 17 of the 2018 season. He then proceeded to skip practice and was ruled out of the game. After the season came to a close, the receiver demanded a trade and was sent off to the then-Oakland Raiders. We all know how the rest of this story played out. 

The Steelers have had their fair share of diva receivers. After the Brown saga, Tomlin has developed a zero-tolerance policy for selfishness, as shown by benching Chase Claypool in 2021. Here at Steeler Nation, we're hoping for years to come of the Pickett to Pickens connection.