“Coddled At A Young Age”: Steelers Legend Ben Roethlisberger Takes Strong Stance Against Treatment Of Young Players Entering The NFL

Ben Roethlisberger announced his retirement from the NFL after the end of last season. He is among the all-time greats of the game and is a sure-shot Hall of Famer. Roethlisberger was drafted back in 2004 and had been part of the league for a long time.

He knows how the culture around the league has changed over the years. Roethlisberger believes young players entering the NFL have been spoiled now. He claimed that, unlike in his days, rookies are treated well by coaches in college and the NFL. Big Ben also gave props to young players that they face more pressure as well.

Ben Roethlisberger said, “It’s hard for these young guys, too. Social media. They’re treated so well in college. Now, this new NIL stuff, which is unbelievable. They’re treated so special. They’re coddled at a young age because college coaches need them to win, too. I know coach (Terry) Hoeppner never coddled me (at Miami). Neither did (former Steelers coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Bill) Cowher.”

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The NIL deals have definitely helped the young players a lot. Now they are able to make a huge amount of money while being college players. Earlier, no player had seen that type of money before entering the NFL, and they worked really hard to get into the league. Now the young players know that even if they don’t make it to the NFL, they can get paid well through the NIL deals.

The Pittsburgh Steelers head towards a new era without Ben Roethlisberger

Ben Roethlisberger was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2004. It will be difficult to replace him, but it was the right time for Big Ben to retire. The Steelers now head towards a new era without their legendary quarterback.

The team already has Mitchell Trubisky, and Kenny Pickett fighting for the starting quarterback position. It seems like Trubisky will be given the nod to start the season for the Steelers.

Pickett might need some time to adjust to the NFL, which is why it would be better for him to start as a backup to Trubisky. If things don’t go right for the former Bears quarterback in Pittsburgh, we might see Pickett pretty soon in the upcoming season.

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