(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
"Big Ben" was trending on Twitter today and it had to do with a post by Pro Football Focus asking "who is stopping this potential Steelers offense?" The graphic featured quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Najee Harris of Alabama, and wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool.
So, yeah it was an easy target for the naysayers to take a shot at the 39-year-old quarterback who struggled down the stretch last season and had a subpar deep ball the whole year. In 2020, Roethlisberger averaged just 6.3 yards per pass attempt, which was the lowest of his career minus the 2019 season when he played just six quarters before suffering a season-ending elbow injury.
Roethlisberger wasn't the only one to get criticized by PFF's post, as the offensive line was mentioned frequently as being a liability, as well. The offensive line was abysmal at run blocking last year and the Steelers ranked dead last in rushing yards per game (84.4). The offensive line is also going through a transition right now with Maurkice Pouncey retiring this offseason, Matt Feiler signing with the Chargers in free agency and Villanueva likely heading to Baltimore.