Ben Roethlisberger credits Kenny Pickett for Steelers' turnaround

Ben Roethlisberger and his podcast co-host Spencer T’eo were very impressed with the direction of the young Steelers’ offense and the team’s prospects in the New Year. Their first 2023 episode of Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger was released on Wednesday, and the pair is excited about what this year will look like on the football field for the black and gold.

“Against the Ravens, that was the first time I sat back,” T’eo observed. “I was like this team’s going to be really, really good next year.”

The Steelers have only played two regular-season games since Roethlisberger was drafted in which they were eliminated from playoff contention. It is a staggering feat in the free-agency era to be so consistently in the playoff picture. Roethlisberger was a huge part of the streak, but if the team reaches 9-8, they will only have seven losing seasons in the last 50 years. They have only reached double-digit losses three times during that same period. It is an inconceivable record if you root for any other NFL franchise.

“I agree. They’re on the same page,” Roethlisberger responded. “Kudos to Kenny because it seemed like there was a clear break in the season where he was like okay I have rookie has stuff to work on and then he came back and it seemed like okay I watched film and I won’t do that, and then he hasn’t.

“They have got to get lucky. I think if you’re a Pittsburgh fan you gotta be feeling pretty good about what you got in the way Kenny is playing. I think they are going to take care of business at home against Cleveland.”

At the beginning of the 2022 season, the Steelers had multiple holes on offense. The offensive line was an issue, and the quarterback situation was unsettled. Heading into the second game of 2023 and the last of this season, the Steelers have found their franchise quarterback in Pickett and the offensive line has drastically improved. They are opening holes for the running game, and while the pass protection isn’t perfect, but it is improving.

The defensive side of the ball was fixed with the return of T.J. Watt after the bye week and some creative schemes by Mike Tomlin and his defensive staff that committed Pittsburgh to stop the run. They haven’t allowed more than 17 points in nearly two months, and Minkah Fitzpatrick is erasing any mistakes on the back end. He has five interceptions, including a huge play on the last drive of the game to close the door on any comeback hopes for Justin Tucker and the Ravens.

The Steelers have entered the best possible window for any franchise: A first-round quarterback contract that allows them to dedicate valuable cap space to retain players like Alex Highsmith and the flexibility to shop for veteran solutions to the remaining holes on the roster. The Steelers are also holding three of what will likely be the top 50 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft.