When the Pittsburgh Steelers had former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger throwing the football, fans always knew the team had a chance against anybody. Since Roethlisberger retired, the offense has struggled to find its way. Roethlisberger had some iconic rivalries and matchups in his career, one of those intense matchups being against the Denver Broncos.
The Broncos faced off against Roethlisberger three times in the playoffs. He won just one of those three games: the AFC Championship in 2006. He lost the AFC Wild Card game in 2012 and the AFC Divisional in 2016. Despite these losses, Denver never enjoyed playing against him.
When the Broncos won Super Bowl 50, they had beaten the Steelers in the AFC Divisional that year. That Broncos team had to face off against some tremendous quarterback play during that playoff run. Former Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. joined the Bleav in the Broncos podcast to talk about that playoff run that ended in winning the Super Bowl. When asked about the quarterbacks they faced, Harris revealed he hated playing against Roethlisberger the most.
"Going through Big Ben, I hated Big Ben," Harris said. "Big Ben was tough every year we had to face him."
Roethlisberger played 18 illustrious seasons in the NFL, all with the Steelers. Throughout his legendary career, Roethlisberger completed 64.4% of his passes, amassed 64,088 passing yards, and threw for 418 touchdowns while tossing 211 interceptions. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and a two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback, cementing his place in NFL history.
During his reign in the NFL, Roethlisberger was regarded as one of the elite quarterbacks in the league. Harris is not alone in his aversion to facing Roethlisberger. No matter how substantial a lead you had against the Steelers, as long as Roethlisberger was on the field, victory was never assured.
Roethlisberger possessed the uncanny ability to throw an interception and then rebound with multiple touchdown passes. His resilience and fearless approach made him a formidable quarterback. Despite his seemingly unathletic appearance, he was surprisingly mobile and an exceptionally dangerous passer. It was not easy for opponents to plan for playing Roethlisberger.
Steelers' Offense Has Struggled Significantly Since Ben Roethlisberger Retired
Steelers fans who have endured the offense in the post-Roethlisberger era have certainly missed him. Since his retirement, the Steelers' offense has consistently ranked among the worst in the league. However, there is renewed hope in 2024 as the Steelers welcomed a new quarterback, Russell Wilson. Wilson, who played for the Broncos for two seasons before joining Pittsburgh, aims to rejuvenate the team's offensive prowess.
Although Harris disliked preparing for and playing against Roethlisberger's greatness, the Broncos did achieve a memorable feat by winning the Super Bowl and sending Roethlisberger home. Reflecting on it, that Broncos team took pride in being the ones to end his season.
Sometimes, opposing teams harbor animosity towards players for no apparent reason or purely out of competitive spirit. In this case, Harris's disdain stemmed from the genuine fear and respect Roethlisberger commanded as a remarkably skilled quarterback.
With each season that passes without Roethlisberger, Steelers fans grow more appreciative of his time with the team. For nearly two decades, they were spoiled with exceptional quarterback play. Now, they look to Wilson to bring back the consistent performance they once enjoyed under Roethlisberger. It is always interesting to hear opponents perspectives on facing the former Steelers teams.
