Ex-Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger Details NFL Return Opportunity With AFC Team

Ben Roethlisberger last suited up three years ago for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the 43-year-old had options to make a comeback.

Roethlisberger expected re-employment opportunities to come his way while still in tune with the NFL from afar, and sure enough, a chance to return opened up. Two seasons ago, fellow post-prime quarterback Aaron Rodgers debuted with the New York Jets — in a catastrophic fashion. Rodgers suffered a season-ending torn Achilles, which immediately jeopardized New York’s chances at contending for a title.

In an instant, Roethlisberger knew exactly what to prepare for.

“When Aaron got hurt in New York with his Achilles, my agent would be like, ‘Hey, any interest?'” Roethlisberger recalled on “The Nateland Podcast.” “I’m like, ‘Zero.’ I was actually at the Crewe Cup when it happened. We’re watching the game, all of us were watching when it went down and it was like, ‘Uh oh,’ and then sure enough I get a text like, ‘Hey before I get these calls, any interest?’ I’m like, ‘Nope. I’m golfing. I’m good.'”

New York instead deferred to then-backup Zach Wilson and promoted him as the team’s starting quarterback. Wilson squandered that opportunity by laying an egg as the Jets finished the season 7-10 behind Wilson’s six touchdowns and seven interceptions through nine games. Roethlisberger could’ve been more of a savior than Wilson, but the Steelers legend is more than content with the legacy he left in Pittsburgh.

Roethlisberger, without getting into details, suggested the Jets weren’t the only team that could’ve marked the second uniform he sported throughout his career.

“I had a chance to potentially toward the end, like I could’ve maybe explored some different things,” Roethlisberger said. “But at the end of the day, I get to play 18 years for one team. That was special to me, and that franchise, the fan base is the best in the world. So I can just say that was it from start to finish. Never went anywhere else. Never put another jersey on. A lot of great quarterbacks went and did that, and just to say that I didn’t have to do that, it’s special.”

Now enjoying retirement as a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion, Roethlisberger is looking forward to one final accolade: the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Roethlisberger will be eligible in 2027 and has an impressive resume to bolster his case.

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