Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger says he's throwing pain-free for first time in years

Ben Roethlisberger is ready for a bounce-back season in 2020 after season-ending elbow surgery in 2019.

There are doubts surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and whether or not he'll be able to return to what he once was before the surgery, but while he has many detractors, Roethlisberger says he's ready to prove them wrong in the coming months.

“I have no doubts I’m going to be able to come back and play well — none,” Roethlisberger said, according to Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I have complete confidence in that. I’m throwing without pain for the first time in years. Some games, I would have a little pain. Some games, I would have a lot of pain. But in the New England game and the Seattle game (last season), it got to be too much. 

"To be able to throw without pain now? That feels nice. That’s a nice feeling. I know I’m not getting any younger, but I feel younger because I don’t have any pain.”

The 38-year-old Roethlisberger realizes the impact he can have on the Steelers offense in 2020 after the team went 8-8 last season without him, and he's taking the recovery process slow and steady at this point. And while his rehab is going well, he has received plenty of flak from Pittsburgh fans for "gaining weight," but Roethlisberger says he's in better shape than he has been in a long time.

“I’ve heard people say I’m fat, and that just blows my mind,” Roethlisberger said. “I’m lighter and in better shape than I was in either of the past two years. I haven’t stopped working out. I normally don’t work out in the offseason, but I’ve been doing everything five days a week with my trainer. Cardio twice a week. Legs twice a week. Upper body twice a week …

“I guess it’s my beard that makes me look heavier. I must have five pounds in that, I know. But I’m not overweight.” 

With those types of workouts, the two-time Super Bowl champion should be ready to go when the NFL season starts, and the Steelers will receive a much-needed boost to their offense.