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Former Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor told TMZ last month that BenRoethlisberger needs to start training like the seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.
“I think if Seven (Roethlisberger) wants to come back, Seven has got to get on this Tom Brady regimen,” Taylor said via Tim Benz of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “He’s got to really hone-in in the offseason and get some of his mobility back. In the NFL, unless you’ve got an offensive line like Tom Brady’s, you can’t be a pocket quarterback. They’re becoming extinct right now.”
Taylor made similar comments today on 93.7 The Fan about his former teammate.
"[Ben Roethlisberger] gotta change his offseason ... he's got to get 'in shape, shape.' And he's got to want to run that ball," Taylor said.
Taylor has also been on record that the Steelers are delaying the process of getting a replacement for Roethlisberger by bringing him back for another year, especially in a division with three young quarterbacks.
"You're setting them back a year or two or three [with a comeback]," Taylor said about Roethlisberger coming back to the Steelers in early February. "The reason why I think you're setting them back is because you've seen the progression in Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow -- before he got hurt -- and Baker Mayfield.
"So, we're talking about three young quarterbacks in one division. Who you going to pick last?"
The Steelers have officially signed Ben Roethlisberger to a new deal since Taylor made those remarks last month. He still feels the same way, however, and is warning Steelers fans for some rough years on the horizon.
"The more years you wait, that's the further we've got to come along and the better those [AFC North] teams are gonna be, Taylor said. "Steelers fans don't get mad for about four years when Pittsburgh ain't doing too good."