NFL Grades: Report card for each QB after four games
By Erik Lambert
Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers): B-
It feels like every year the Steelers are in a free fall during the first month yet somehow they worth their way out of it to finish near the top of the AFC? Because of that precedent, I’m not overly worried about Mike Tomlin, Ben Roethlisberger, and the Steelers, but something is certainly off this year.
Part of it is the burden of the offense being placed on the 36-year-old Roethlisberger with Le’Veon Bell out. Despite the 1-2 start, Big Ben leads the league with 1,414 passing yards and 353.3 yards per game. It’s certainly a sign that the Steelers quarterback hasn’t hit the wall yet and that despite the team’s poor start he’s still one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, despite the rest of his numbers being mediocre. He’s tied for fifth in touchdowns, 22nd in completion percentage, and he’s thrown the third-most interceptions in the league.
Certainly having Bell, who is expected to return week seven, would help balance out the offense and take pressure off the Steelers passer.
Roethlisberger gets a B- for keeping the Steelers afloat and having some of the best passing numbers in the league. If he won more games the grade would certainly be higher. There’s room to improve across the board in Pittsburgh, and if changes don’t come soon the Steelers could be in a tough position this offseason.