Insider shares bold take about Steelers drama, Ben Roethlisberger becoming a first-ballot Hall of Famer

Conversations about what Ben Roethlisberger was and/or wasn't while serving as the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting quarterback for the bulk of his 18-season career have resurfaced. 

Former Steelers linebacker Joey Porter Sr. controversially suggested that Roethlisberger was "not a good teammate" and not "a good person." 

Roethlisberger could become a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2027. During a Wednesday appearance on Pittsburgh sports radio station 93.7 The Fan, NFL insider Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk hinted that questions about Roethlisberger's past could result in the signal-caller having to wait to be enshrined in Canton. 

What Hall of Fame voters may ask about Ben Roethlisberger

"If it's a close question of whether or not he gets in, the voters, I think, are incumbent, or it's incumbent upon them, to take into consideration questions like, 'What kind of a leader was he? What kind of a teammate was he?'" Florio said about Roethlisberger's Hall of Fame chances, per Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. 

Roethlisberger is widely viewed as one of the top quarterbacks of his era, and he helped the Steelers claim a pair of Super Bowl titles during his career. However, he was not named the Most Valuable Player for either of those victories. 

New York Giants legend Eli Manning has a pair of Super Bowl championships and Super Bowl MVPs on his career resume, but he has fallen short of being selected as a Pro Football Hall of Famer on two occasions. Additionally, Manning is a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award winner who is revered as one of the great on-the-field leaders in Giants history. 

Meanwhile, Porter's comments may have reminded some that Roethlisberger faced sexual assault allegations in 2009 that ultimately earned him a suspension. Back in January 2022, a story shared how the Steelers once "had a trade in place" that would've involved Pittsburgh sending Roethlisberger to the San Francisco 49ers before then-49ers head coach Mike Singletary allegedly vetoed the deal.

Ben Roethlisberger may not be a slam-dunk first-ballot Hall of Famer

"If it's close, will they seek guys out? And will they take into consideration his reputation as a teammate, his reputation as a leader? And will that be relevant to whether or not he gets in? That's my point," Florio added about discussions Hall of Fame voters may have about Roethlisberger's candidacy. 

Events from this winter showed that those previously viewed as locks to become Hall of Famers don't always get in when expected. One wonders if back-and-forth verbal slap fights involving former Steelers players will impact whether or not Roethlisberger receives a gold jacket next year.