BREAKING NEWS: Pittsburgh Steelers Star Ben Roethlisberger Stuns Fans and Leaves Head Coach Mike Tomlin Speechless with Major Announcement
PITTSBURGH, PA — In a shocking turn of events, former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and franchise icon Ben Roethlisberger has made a surprise announcement that has sent shockwaves through the NFL community and left head coach Mike Tomlin momentarily speechless. During a live appearance on a local Pittsburgh sports radio show Friday morning, Roethlisberger revealed that he is considering an official return to the NFL—and possibly to the Steelers.
“I’ve still got some gas left in the tank,” Roethlisberger said, smiling. “I’ve been throwing, I’ve been training, and I miss the game. I miss the guys. I’m not saying I’m back—but I’m not saying I’m done, either.”
The announcement came out of nowhere, catching fans, analysts, and even his former teammates off guard. Roethlisberger, 43, retired at the end of the 2021 season after an 18-year career with the Steelers, during which he won two Super Bowl titles and earned six Pro Bowl selections. Since retirement, he’s hosted a podcast and made occasional appearances at Steelers games but had given no indication of a possible return—until now.
Sources close to the team say Coach Mike Tomlin was “completely blindsided” by the news. A brief statement from Tomlin’s office confirmed he had not been informed beforehand and was “genuinely surprised” by Roethlisberger’s public comments.
“If Ben’s serious, that’s a conversation we’ll need to have,” Tomlin said later during a press conference. “He’s a legend here. No doubt. But our focus right now is on our current roster and building toward the future.”
Current starting quarterback Kenny Pickett, who took over the reins in 2022, has been under close scrutiny following an inconsistent 2024 season. With the Steelers actively restructuring their offense, the idea of Roethlisberger returning—whether as a player, mentor, or even in a coaching role—is certain to stir debates across the NFL landscape.
Fans flooded social media with excitement, skepticism, and nostalgia. Some welcomed the idea of Big Ben donning the black and gold one more time, while others questioned the practicality and timing of such a move.
While Roethlisberger stopped short of confirming an actual comeback, he emphasized that he’s “keeping all doors open.” Whether this is a publicity stir or a genuine step toward a late-career encore, one thing is certain: Big Ben still knows how to command the spotlight.
Further developments are expected in the coming days.