Ben Roethlisberger Shades Steelers' Roster in Final Season, Jokes About Metcalf Trade

Legendary Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger cracked a joke Tuesday about the difference in how the front office approached his final season with the team compared to quarterback Aaron Rodgers' first season in black and gold.

Speaking on his Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger podcast, Big Ben compared the two situations, saying, "I just think it's funny because they give Aaron DK [Metcalf], all these things. And I got a center that never played center before my last year."

After getting inconsistent quarterback play out of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields last season, the Steelers signed the 41-year-old Rodgers during the offseason in hopes that he could recapture some of the magic he had with the Green Bay Packers when he was a four-time NFL MVP and one-time Super Bowl champ.

Pittsburgh also acquired Metcalf in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, giving Rodgers an unquestioned No. 1 wideout to work with.

Metcalf is a two-time Pro Bowler and three-time 1,000-yard receiver, and he has been Rodgers' favorite target with 29 receptions for 467 yards and five touchdowns.

The only other big move the Steelers made on offense during the offseason was acquiring tight end Jonnu Smith in a trade with the Miami Dolphins.

Roethlisberger's 18th and final NFL season came in 2021, and his offensive weapons consisted of then-rookie running back Najee Harris, wide receivers Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool, and tight end Pat Freiermuth.

Harris and Johnson had over 1,000 yards rushing and receiving, respectively, and Roethlisberger finished with 3,740 yards, 22 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for a Steelers team that reached the playoffs and fell to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Wild Card Round.

The offensive line was the weakest part of the offense that season, as four of the five starters had four years of experience or fewer.

Among them was rookie center Kendrick Green, who was a third-round pick out of Illinois that year.

While Green saw a few games of action at center during his college years, he was primarily a guard. Despite that, he started 15 games for the Steelers at center during his rookie campaign.

Green was moved back to guard the following season, and he has made only four more NFL regular-season starts since starting 15 games as a rookie.

Roethlisberger clearly hasn't forgotten that questionable personnel decision, especially as he has watched Rodgers and the Steelers get off to a solid 5-3 start this season.