When the San Francisco 49ers found themselves in quarterback hell last season after Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo missed the entire year with injuries, a few calls were made outside the organization before Brock Purdy stunned the San Francisco 49ers. the league with his high level of play.
One of those calls was to someone who retired from the game a year ago.
Pittsburgh Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger told 105.9’s Mark Madden on «The X» that San Fran called him to see if he was interested.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger looks for a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
«There was some truth to the Niners thing,» Roethlisberger said. «They were, I think, reaching out maybe just to gauge my interest. I had discussions. I don’t want to sit here and say I’d go or something. They called me to gauge interest…»
While Roethlisberger still loves football, he called for never putting on pads again.
«I’d be lying if I didn’t say that a small part of me was intrigued,» she said. «I could still do it and show people I could still play. At the end of the day, I just can’t see myself in anything other than black and gold.»
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Roethlisberger entered the game as a Steeler and left as one, playing 249 career games with Pittsburgh after they took him 11th overall in the infamous 2004 NFL Draft.
In those years, Roethlisberger was able to bring two Super Bowl championships to Steel City in 2005 and 2008.
Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is congratulated by teammate Ben Roethlisberger #7 after scoring a touchdown in the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals during the game on December 4, 2011 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
But Roethlisberger conceded that the 49ers had the roster to win the Super Bowl this year, saying they «had a great opportunity.»
Ultimately, it was the quarterback position that buried the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game, after Purdy suffered an elbow injury that was later diagnosed as a torn UCL during the game. They went with Josh Johnson, backed him up, but he left the game with a concussion.
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That forced Purdy back, unable to shoot, and the Eagles dominated the running game. Head coach Kyle Shanahan tried to get creative with short passes and fancy running plays, but Philadelphia was ready.
This season, the 49ers are expected to have open competition with all three quarterbacks on their roster: Lance, Purdy and newcomer Sam Darnold. While Purdy did well in his time in the second half of last season, Lance earned the job from training camp. Darnold has more experience than both of them, so it will be an interesting competition to watch.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) greets fans before leaving the field after an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers won 26-14. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
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And it looks like Roethlisberger will continue to watch from home as well.