Video: Ben Roethlisberger Jokes About Unretiring After Steelers Trade for DK Metcalf

Former 18-year Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger joked about a potential return to the field after hearing that the team traded for DK Metcalf and signed him to a new $150 million contract.

"Coach T (Mike Tomlin) are you kidding me? DK Metcalf on one side, GP (George Pickens) on the other, Muth (Pat Freiermuth) working the middle? I might need to throw my hat in the ring," Roethlisberger said in a video posted to his Instagram. "If you're looking for a guy I might still have a couple of throws in me."

The 43-year-old humorously posted a video wearing his old Steelers helmet, expressing disbelief over the team's roster heading into the 2025 season, especially after the signing of Metcalf on Sunday.

The wide receiver was traded to the Steelers from the Seattle Seahawks for a 2025 second-round pick, less than a week after he requested a trade from the team. Metcalf and Pittsburgh agreed to a five-year, $150 million extension, per Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz.

Roethlisberger might be onto something with his teasing return, as the team struggled at the quarterback position last season, bouncing between 26-year-old Justin Fields and veteran Russell Wilson after he returned from injury.

The Steelers were expected to make a definitive decision between Wilson and Fields heading into the 2025 season but are now expected to extend an offer to pending free agent Sam Darnold, according to The Athletic's Diana Russini.

The former Minnesota Vikings quarterback is expected to end up in Seattle, but Pittsburgh is "doing its due diligence" to explore all options ahead of the season, per Russini.

Roethlisberger retired at the conclusion of the 2022 season after 18 years with Pittsburgh, playing more games in team history than any other player with 249. Realistically, he’s not looking to put the cleats back on anytime soon.