Yardbarker
x
Report: Ben Roethlisberger 'obsessed' with weight loss, diet
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada (left) and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) talk during drills at minicamp held at Heinz Field. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger 'obsessed' with weight loss, diet

Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback and two-time Super Bowl champion Ben Roethlisberger admitted this spring he is "motivated" by critics and doubters. He also said he approaches every season like it could be his last. 

As Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio noted, insider Ryan Burr reports via Twitter that the 39-year-old signal-caller may be looking to shed the "Big" from his famous nickname.

"Ben camp says biggest concern is weight loss," Burr explained. "He has been so driven since [the] season ended. Source says his diet is stricter than [Tom] Brady."

Back in May, a report surfaced that disgruntled Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had embraced at least some aspects of the "The TB12 Method" pushed by Tampa Bay Buccaneers starter Tom Brady and trainer Alex Guerrero. While some may immediately scoff at the idea of Roethlisberger following strict dietary guidelines through the offseason and summer months, Burr offered a response to such individuals: 

Roethlisberger restructured his contract in March to offer the Steelers salary-cap relief and spend at least one more campaign as Pittsburgh's QB1. Whether or not a change in diet can help him return to his best form so late in his career has yet to be seen.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!