Ben Roethlisberger Shared Private Intel About Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers Taking Over Play Calls From Arthur Smith

The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense headed into the 2025 season with many expecting them to be one of the league’s best. That has not been the case, and it has not even been close. For a brief stretch, it looked like the Steelers' offense had found new life with Aaron Rodgers under center, but his age and a lingering wrist injury quickly stalled whatever momentum the team had built. By Week 13, in a blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills, the issues were so glaring that even former Steelers legends like Ben Roethlisberger and James Harrison felt compelled to publicly call out their former head coach, Mike Tomlin.

The Steelers managed just 166 total yards in the 26–7 loss, a performance that once again exposed deep-rooted problems on both sides of the ball. While the defense struggled to get off the field, the offense looked overmatched, predictable, and unable to sustain drives. The frustration was not limited to fans. Former players watching from afar could see the team unraveling, and their commentary underscored a growing sense that something is fundamentally broken in Pittsburgh.

While speaking on his Footbahlin podcast, Roethlisberger detailed exactly why he believes the Steelers are struggling and shared new insight into what he has heard about Rodgers’ mindset behind the scenes. According to Roethlisberger, the information circulating about Rodgers paints a harsh picture and it amounts to a direct indictment of Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith. 

"I've heard some things that Aaron [Rodgers], this last game, when they finally moved the ball, Aaron was just calling plays," Roethlisberger said Tuesday on his Footbahlin podcast. "Maybe it's one of those situations where we unhook the helmet and let Aaron do his thing."

From questionable play-calling to a failure to adjust to Rodgers’ limitations, the criticism suggests the Steelers’ offensive issues go far beyond injuries and execution. Instead, they may stem from a system that simply is not working. 

Roethlisberger even detailed how much he believes Smith has failed to get the most out of his three tight ends, specifically Pat Freiermuth.

"It seems like if you're not an Arthur Smith guy, you're left behind," Roethlisberger said. "It seems like he doesn't like Pat Freiermuth, obviously. He didn't get one ball thrown his way... You pay Pat Freiermuth a lot of money. Use him... You paid a guy $150 million in DK Metcalf. Why does he have the same amount of catches as Kenneth Gainwell? Is that Aaron Rodgers, or is that the scheme? It seems like it's a lot of scheme."

The Steelers made a headline-grabbing move in the 2025 offseason by trading for superstar wide receiver DK Metcalf. They then traded away their own WR1, George Pickens. So far, Metcalf has struggled, while Pickens has thrived in his new situation with the Dallas Cowboys. 

Steelers' Offense Has Roethlisberger Very Confused

Roethlisberger seems perplexed by what Smith is trying to do with this offense and is confused why Kenneth Gainwell, a backup running back, has the same number of catches as Metcalf, a player being paid one of the highest wide receiver salaries in the league. 

That is another problem with this Steelers offense. The Steelers are now 6-6 and still have a chance to win the AFC North, but it is going to take a lot of quick changes on both sides of the football.