Ben Roethlisberger Says Tom Brady Is NFL's Best Quarterback

If you told fans in the Steel City that Tom Brady is better than Ben Roethlisberger, you'd probably have to dodge a flying Primanti's sandwich. If you told Roethlisberger that, though, he would agree.

"Tom's the greatest in the world, and I mean that," the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback said Wednesday, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com.

Reporters asked Roethlisberger what advice he'd give Brady during his four-game suspension, but he demurred, saying Brady "doesn't need any advice from anybody." Roethlisberger previously served a four-game ban in 2010 for a violation of the personal conduct policy related to an alleged sexual assault. 

Brady, who was initially suspended for Deflategate before the 2015 season, will sit the first four weeks of the 2016 campaign after a court upheld NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's decision.

Based on their respective resumes, Roethlisberger seems to be making a relatively objective statement. Brady has four Super Bowl victories to Roethlisberger's two and leads him in every major passing category. To some, Brady is the greatest quarterback in NFL history.

The only real sticking point is age, with Brady turning 39 in August and Roethlisberger still a relatively young 34. Multiple studies have shown that quarterbacks tend to show a sharp decline in performance in their late 30s or early 40s. The sample is relatively small—only a few greats typically play that deep—but it's the only persuasive argument for Roethlisberger over Brady.

Former Steelers great Terry Bradshaw said Tuesday he would take Roethlisberger over any other quarterback, per Teresa Varley of the Steelers' website: 

"

The offense they are running is just amazing. The job he does and how he stands in there is impressive. It’s been years of solid, exceptional quarterback play. He could have been the MVP in the league last year if he would have stayed healthy. I am not saying this because I am a Steeler and trying to suck up to anybody. I am just telling you he is special, different.

I’ll take Roethlisberger over any of those guys.

"

Roethlisberger threw for 3,938 yards and 21 touchdowns against 16 interceptions in 2015. He was limited to 12 games due to injury and led the NFL with 328.2 passing yards per game. Brady, meanwhile, threw for 4,770 yards and 36 touchdowns against seven picks. He has never thrown more than 14 interceptions in a season.

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