Ben Roethlisberger finding mentorship role with Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin spoke with NFL Network’s Inside Training Camp Live crew about quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s mentorship role this season. Entering his 18th year in the NFL, Roethlisberger has found a new role in training camp helping to develop the Steelers’ future stars.

Ben Roethlisberger’s mentorship

The 39-year old quarterback has played more NFL snaps than almost anybody in the league, and his knowledge is a key part of his skill set at this point. With young talent on the team like rookie running back Najee Harris and rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth, that knowledge can set them up for success right away.

When speaking to Inside Training Camp Live on Sunday, Mike Tomlin detailed the new way Roethlisberger is approaching this season and the energy he’s finding by having young players to teach.

“He’s highly motivated,” stated Tomlin. “I think being around young guys that he knows that we’re going to depend on is energizing him in a mentor’s kind of a way. Just the amount of time that he’s giving Najee (Harris) and Pat (Freiermuth) at the tight end position has been really impressive, and I think he’s enjoying it.”

As the Steelers look to improve on a season that started hot before faltering down the stretch, the new rookies will be key. While Roethlisberger did not play in the Steelers preseason opening game, he remained a key figure on the sideline. Preseason games may not be necessary for a decorated veteran player like Roethlisberger, but his ability to teach his team will make these games much more important.

If he can bring the Steelers first and second round draft picks of Najee Harris and Pat Freiermuth up to speed prior to the season, they could look to repeat the 12-0 start they had in 2020. While it is unknown still if this is Roethlisberger’s last year playing, the Steelers are pursuing a championship while there’s still time.

Leading by example

Despite the newest development in Roethlisberger’s career being his mentorship role, he’s still the starting quarterback for Pittsburgh. Tomlin was sure to downplay any concerns about his quarterback’s health when discussing why he didn’t play in the preseason opener.

“Based on what we’ve seen out here, I don’t think any of us are questioning his capabilities from a quarterback perspective. The arm is the arm, man, in terms of strength and accuracy,” Tomlin claimed about Roethlisberger’s elite throwing ability.

Tomlin still found time to joke about the star quarterback’s age however. “I acknowledge that he’s probably seen more good days than he’s gonna see. This guy’s been doing it a while.”

If it is indeed Roethlisberger’s final year, throwing for over 3,000 yards would rank him fifth all-time in passing yardage. He currently is seventh, 1,013 behind Dan Marino and 3,092 away from Philip Rivers. Roethlisberger also has 396 career passing touchdowns, currently eighth all-time with the potential to reach sixth by the season’s end if quarterback Aaron Rodgers keeps pace with him.

A top-ten statistical career makes him one of the most valuable mentors a player could have.

Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images