Among the more outlandish comments made during an attention-starved preseason was the one in which a former NFL general manager said a two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback might be ranked last among the quarterbacks in the AFC North, never mind the other three had never even won a playoff game.
That was the opinion of former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannebaum, who made the statement on ESPN in August.
But, not only do Ben Roethlisberger's achievements in his first 16 years in the league make the comment borderline absurd; recent history would suggest Tannebaum is guilty of some of the same misevaluation he made when he traded for Brett Favre and cut Chad Pennington in 2008.
Here's what Tannebaum said:
"At best, Pittsburgh has the second-best quarterback in that division and maybe the third or fourth, depending how (Joe) Burrow and Baker Mayfield play. (Roethlisberger's) best days are behind him. The future of that division is Lamar Jackson, maybe Burrow, maybe Baker Mayfield."
Maybe Tannebaum was blinded by the glare from the Heisman Trophy each of the other three starting quarterbacks won in college. But Roethlisberger's four-game start _ the best of his career _ and the Steelers' 4-0 record would suggest such proclamations might have to wait for the future, not now.
That's because none of the other three young quarterbacks in the AFC North _ Mayfield, Jackson and Burrow _ have been as productive or efficient as the 38-year-old Roethlisberger through the first five weeks of the season. Nor are their teams among the four remaining unbeatens in the league like Roethlisberger.
"I'm going to have a fake Heisman made so all four of us can have one," Roethlisberger said jokingly on Wednesday. "I'm the lone man out, but that is all right. It's an honor to play against those guys."
Roethlisberger will have plenty of opportunity coming up. He faces each of three quarterbacks in the next five games, beginning Sunday at Heinz Field against Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns. Mayfield has played against Roethlisberger only once before _ a 33-18 Steelers victory in 2018 in which Roethlisberger threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns.
Mayfield, though, has the Browns playing at their highest level since 1994. They lead the AFC in scoring and are averaging 37.5 points during their four-game winning streak. Jackson leads all NFL quarterbacks with 238 yards rushing, and the Ravens have the highest point differential in the league (plus-73). And Burrow leads all AFC North quarterbacks with 1,304 yards passing and is the early favorite for the league's offensive rookie of the year.
But none of those quarterbacks can match Roethlisberger in any significant passing category, including completion percentage, touchdowns, interceptions and passer rating.
"I'm just glad we're winning football games," Roethlisberger said. "You know me, it's not about stats. It's not about numbers. It's about winning football games. Coming back from an injury and not playing last year, I was a little worried about my play and what was going to happen. I think I told you guys that before the first game.
"My biggest concern is not letting the team down and losing the game for them. I'm just glad we're winning football games. Sometimes when you get to this age, in life and in football, you have to find ways to win the game mentally as well, so that's what I'm trying to do."
Roethlisberger has thrown just one interception among his 143 attempts, fewer than his other three counterparts. The only time he has never thrown an interception in his first four games was in 2005.
But that could be tested against the Browns, who lead the league with 12 takeaways (six interceptions, six fumble recoveries).
"I'm just trying not to turn the ball over," Roethlisberger said. "Obviously, I'm not putting up big passing numbers and yards per attempt, all those things. I just don't want to turn the ball over, so that is the biggest thing I am trying to work on. That is going to be the biggest challenge this week."
That, and coming up with a fake Heisman Trophy.
