Still Curtain
FanSided

Who is the greatest Steelers QB of all time?

By Jake Bendrick

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 08: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 08: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Steelers
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 15: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Heinz Field on December 15, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

The case for Ben Roethlisberger

There is no question that Roethlisberger is one of the three greatest quarterbacks ever to put on a Steelers uniform. Given that Johnny Unitas was traded before he could impact the team, let’s see how Big Ben measures up against the great Terry Bradshaw.

Rings:

This category seems cut and dried but let’s dig in a little bit. Ben has two rings, the second of which saw him tossing one of the best game-winners (if not THE BEST) in NFL history. During the playoffs of the 2005 season, he led the team to victories over the top three seeds in the AFC and the top seed in the NFC.

Aside from a lackluster (to put it kindly) Super Bowl performance, Ben outperformed the likes of Peyton Manning and Carson Palmer on his way to Detroit. As for the 2008 season, the Steelers’ defense was one of the historically underrated units of all time and carried the team through its playoff run. That said, if it weren’t for Ben’s epic throw to Santonio Holmes against Baltimore on a play that broke down and became a backyard improv of the likes Roethlisberger has become famous for, the AFC championship may have been much tighter than Steeler fans would have liked.

He took Pittsburgh to a third Super Bowl against Green Bay but threw a critical pick-six and forgot that Hines Ward existed during the final drive.

Stats:

Completion %: 64.3

Yards: 56,545

TD: 363

Int: 191

Passer Rating: 94

These speak for themselves.

Supporting Cast:

Hall of Famers (who played with Ben): 2

Note: Alan Faneca will eventually have a gold jacket. Hines Ward has an outside shot. Coach Bill Cowher is also a HOF’er. Antonio Brown… probably? Le’Veon? Had he remained in Pittsburgh he’d probably be in the conversation. Cam Heyward should but… who knows? James Harrison? Outside looking in.

Overview: While Bradshaw will have multitudes of HOF teammates, Ben’s group was full of high-level ballers. Multiple defensive players of the year and from 2004 through 2010 led one of the best defenses in football, year in and year out. Ben has historically had very good support at RB and WR and at times, elite teammates at the skill positions. Aside from a 3-year span of “below the line” offensive line play, he has had solid OL’s.

Supporting Cast Rating: Very Good

Home/Steelers News