You heard it right the two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback will be going into his 17th season with the Steelers. Ben Roethlisberger has seen it all. So why did Ben say he is going to be "Shaking like a leaf," come Monday? Ben says his nervousness is from "excited jitters" and the fact that he missed most of the 2019 season with an elbow injury.
"I was driving in to practice today and crossed the Veterans Bridge and was thinking to myself, man, I am already nervous for this season," Roethlisberger said. "You always have a little bit of jitters and nervousness for the first game. The way I feel now is more than how I have felt in a long time. I am sure it's going to intensify as the week goes on, then Monday night I am sure I am going to be shaking like a leaf. It's one of those things you get out there and hopefully it all comes back to me really quick."
"There is going to be rust, no doubt about it. Hopefully we can get it knocked off sooner rather than later. That is what makes it fun. If I wasn't nervous, if I didn't have that anxiousness, you shouldn't be out there. If there is not a love for the game, if you don't have that. Since I have those nerves already it shows I still love this game, I am still passionate for it. I want to go out and win for the fans, the city."
Ben tends to be hard on himself from time to time and loves a little drama here and there, but he has a right to be nervous this season especially from coming off a serious injury that required surgery. Ben hasn't played football in about a year now and without getting live action in the preseason there is going to be rust.
"I am more worried about myself than the other guys," Roethlisberger said. "I have to manage myself as the quarterback, the guy who is handling the ball every play. Making sure we are in the right play. Not trying to do too much. It's going to be on me to get myself under control, then help young guys as we go."
"Just because we have a really good veteran group, I think we can help each other in that area. My comfort is going to come from the guys in front of me. We're all going to help each other out. Guys are going to have to make plays for me. I am going to have to make plays for guys. That is why this is the ultimate team sport."
Being the leader of the Steelers, Ben says he is more worried about himself than other guys. He needs to come into Monday settled and know that he has veterans as well as with a better equiped offense then last season. With the addition of Eric Ebron, Chase Claypool and many teammates coming into their second season (Benny Snell and Dionate Johnson), he is in good company.
"Guys are excited. It's our first in season Wednesday," Roethlisberger said. "My wife asked me this morning when I left if I was excited to start this week. I know we started Monday, but being the first Wednesday, I definitely am. I think other guys are excited. When you get this close, you realize how close playing against another team is and the season really starting. I think everyone in the locker room feels this kind of general excitement."
It is going to be amazing to have our two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback under center this season. Last season, the Steelers went 8-8 without Ben so you can only imagine what the Steelers can do with a healthy Big Ben and a top 5 defense in the NFL. If Ben can stay healthy, we will see the Steelers get into the playoffs and quite possibly the AFC Championship Game.
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