4th Down: Should Ben Roethlisberger have stayed quiet on Rudolph selection

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 17: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks off the field after throwing an interception in the fourth quarter during the game against the New England Patriots at Heinz Field on December 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 17: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks off the field after throwing an interception in the fourth quarter during the game against the New England Patriots at Heinz Field on December 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

In this series, I will take an issue or question facing the Pittsburgh Steelers and argue both sides.

In April’s NFL draft the Pittsburgh Steelers took quarterback Mason Rudolph in the third round. I was a fan of the selection but not everyone shares that opinion, namely Ben Roethlisberger.  The franchise quarterback made several comments after the draft that weren’t a good look for him or the team.

His comments included questioning the selection: ”I was surprised when they took a quarterback because I thought that maybe in the third-round, you know, you can get some really good football players that can help this team now. And nothing against Mason. I think he’s a great football player. I don’t know him personally, but I’m sure he’s a great kid. I just don’t know how backing up or being the third guy, who knows where he’s going to fall on the depth chart, helps us win now. But, that’s not my decision to make. That’s on the coaches and the GM and owner, and those kinds of things. So, if they feel like he can help our team, so be it, but I was a little surprised.”

He also stated that he was concerned for the other guys on the depth chart and questioned the selection of another quarterback a year after Josh Dobbs was chosen: “I assume Landry’s still the two, I don’t really know and Josh, same thing. Last year you take him in the fourth round, so does that mean the Steelers, like, screwed up in that pick? Like do they think that he wasn’t the one that they thought, or has he not developed the way they thought? Why else would you take a quarterback in the third round the next year?”

When asked if he felt any responsibility to take Rudolph under his wing he responded: “Well, I don’t think I’ll need to now that he’s said that he doesn’t need me. So if he asks me a question, I might have to just point to the playbook, you know.” He said this somewhat jokingly but it still seems passive-aggressive.

While these comments aren’t blatant criticism and are overblown at this point, they are not things usually said by a franchise quarterback. The question is if Ben made a mistake by saying these things and if they’ll have a negative effect.

Argument #1

Ben’s public comments were better left unsaid. There was no reason to criticize the team’s decisions and his new teammate. Ben has publicly considered retirement recently and it seems like the right decision for Pittsburgh to consider life without him. The team made the decision that they felt would benefit the franchise the most in the long run. One of the most important things teams look for in a franchise quarterback is the ability to lead on and off the field. His public retirement musings have cast a lot of doubt over the team. Ben has also had some off the field issues before and this does not improve his image or the image of the team.

These comments also undermined a player that will be a teammate of Roethlisberger’s’ next year. Although Rudolph hopefully, will not be forced into action next year, comments like these can hurt team chemistry. Another problem is second-round draft pick James Washington. Washington was a college teammate of Rudolph and is someone who needs to start building chemistry with Roethlisberger. Criticizing his teammate and quarterback is not the way to go about this.

The NFL is a business, and every team is built on a brand. Public comments from anyone from the owners to equipment managers have an effect on the teams brand. Starting quarterbacks have arguably the biggest effect on a teams’ brand. Comments that have even a possibility of being taken poorly are not good for the team.

Argument #2

Ben has every right to be upset. He has won a lot of games for the organization, which should be doing everything they can to help the team win while Roethlisberger has a few good years left. The third round is still full of possible early contributors. In fact with the two picks following Rudolph’s selection, the Bengals took Sam Hubbard and Malik Jefferson. Both had been mocked to the Steelers much earlier than the seventy-sixth pick and both play positions that would allow them to contribute sooner and were arguably bigger needs. On a team that is already very talented a couple more pieces could be huge competing for Ben’s third ring.

It is also likely that Ben is not exactly thrilled about seeing his replacement at work every day. It is one thing to know that the team will move on once you leave but it is natural to be uncomfortable around your successor every day. Ben must know that with every bad game the pressure of Rudolph will only grow. Rudolph shouldn’t pose a threat to Roethlisberger’s job but I can see how Rudolph’s presence could make him uncomfortable.

I also believe that fans take for granted that a quarterback will be willing to mentor his replacement. In reality that is not Ben’s job. He is paid to show up every day and prepare to play football. The job of tutoring young players falls to the coaching staff and while players can be a big help to new draft picks it is in no way their responsibility to help them.

Conclusion

It is very easy to see why Roethlisberger is upset about the selection of a quarterback. However, his comments are not as easily deciphered. He stood nothing to gain by making public comments that appear detrimental to the team. None of his comments seemed like he was trying to cause any problems. It looked to me like he felt slighted and said some things that were not advisable.

Next: 3 positions to focus on this summer

Ultimately the comments were overblown in my opinion. They might be brought up from time to time as the season approaches but once actual football is being played they will be largely forgotten. I don’t feel that they will have a detrimental effect on the team at all. In fact, I think the only person truly negatively affected by Roethlisberger’s comments is himself. Making comments like that ultimately hurt his personal brand.

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