Mike Tomlin opens up on adjusting to life without Ben Roethlisberger
Mike Tomlin has never known head coaching in the NFL without Ben Roethlisberger. He had been the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2004 and since Tomlin took over in 2007. For the first time in his career, Tomlin’s team will have a quarterback competition in training camp following Roethlisberger’s retirement.
Tomlin discussed what life post-Roethlisberger has looked like before the Steelers opened camp this week. He says it’s equally frightening and exciting because of everything that comes with it.
“It is scary because it’s the unknown. We’re venturing into new territory that we haven’t been (in) in a long time from a quarterback perspective. At least for me personally, obviously. I’ve always done the job with him,” said Tomlin. “(It’s) exciting also just because, from a competitive standpoint, you embrace challenges. You’re excited about the anxiety associated with that uncertainty.”
The duo had an incredibly successful 15 seasons together. Tomlin and Roethlisberger led the Steelers to a Super Bowl XLIII victory in 2008. They also never finished any worse than .500 in a season with ‘Big Ben’ under center.
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Mike Tomlin reminisced on the moments he had with Roethlisberger over their years of training camps. He said his quarterback went out of his way to be comfortable during their travels before the season.
“I enjoy being in Ben’s room. Ben is one of those guys that brought the comforts of home to Latrobe, (Pennsylvania). He spared no expense,” said Tomlin. “I walked in that room today and I laughed because Cam Heyward is in that room now (and) it’s less comfortable.”
Tomlin will be in an all-new position when he has to choose a starting quarterback for Pittsburgh this season. Between Mitchell Trubisky, Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph, he’ll have his options. However, none of them will be the eventual first-ballot Hall of Famer. It may take some time to adjust in Pittsburgh but, for Tomlin, that’s the exciting part of it all.