The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted quarterback Ben Roethlisberger 11th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft, a selection that would go down as one of the greatest in franchise history. That draft was filled with high-profile quarterback drama, most notably involving Eli Manning, who refused to play for the San Diego Chargers, and Philip Rivers, who was ultimately traded to the Chargers in exchange for Manning. Roethlisberger, who was considered one of the top quarterback prospects in the class, quietly fell to the Steelers, a move that would pay off in a massive way.
Despite the quiet nature of his slide, Roethlisberger recently revealed that he didn’t expect to last until the 11th pick. On his Footbahlin podcast Tuesday, the future Hall of Famer shared that he truly believed the New York Giants were going to take him with the fourth overall pick. Instead, the Giants selected Rivers and orchestrated the now-famous trade with the Chargers to acquire Manning. That twist of fate altered the careers of all three quarterbacks and set the stage for Roethlisberger’s legendary run in Pittsburgh.
All three quarterbacks from that draft class, Roethlisberger, Manning, and Rivers, went on to enjoy long, productive careers, each leaving their mark on the league in different ways. However, for many, Roethlisberger was the true steal of the draft, delivering two Super Bowl titles, countless clutch performances, and a toughness that defined the Steelers for nearly two decades. What looked like a surprise slide on draft day turned out to be the beginning of a historic era in Pittsburgh.
"We really thought it was going to be number four to New York," Roethlisberger said. "When they did the whole swap and trade, this, that, and the other, we didn’t really know what was next."
After the Giants and Chargers worked out their trade involving Manning and Rivers, Roethlisberger was left uncertain about where he might land. With two of the top quarterbacks already off the board, the draft became a waiting game.
Roethlisberger was pleasantly surprised when he got a call from the Steelers, who selected him with the 11th overall pick.
"Maybe Buffalo, I think, was at 13 or somewhere down the road," Roethlisberger said. "We were not expecting the call at 11 when the Steelers were on the clock. The phone rang at the table and we were like, 'Oh, is this wrong?'"
The story came up recently when Roethlisberger was talking about Steelers’ 2025 NFL draftees, quarterback Will Howard and linebacker Jack Sawyer, on his podcast. Both players were thrilled about getting drafted by the Steelers. The two were best friends at Ohio State and dominant together. Sawyer was relentless on the defensive side of the football and Howard a true leader at quarterback.
Roethlisberger was equally excited to have them on the show, sharing in their excitement about the chance to join Pittsburgh’s storied franchise. When the Steelers selected Howard, Roethlisberger made it clear he thought they got a steal selecting him in the sixth round.
Steelers Legend Ben Roethlisberger Offers Candid Advice To Rookies
With the new draft picks in place, Roethlisberger shared some solid advice for the rookies coming in. He emphasized the need to bring urgency from the start. Pittsburgh may have six Lombardi trophies, but it’s been a while since the Steelers have really made a splash in the postseason. The team hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016, and Tomlin is eager to change that.
If the team doesn't see progress in 2025, the noise from Steelers fans will only get louder. While Tomlin is loved for his regular-season success and Super Bowl win early on, there's a growing belief that he needs to get the team back to deep playoff runs. Roethlisberger is hoping these rookies come in ready to make a difference and help shift the momentum back in Pittsburgh's favor.
