Half of the teams in the NFL aren’t playing this week so it’s an honor to have the opportunity. — Ben.

From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:

On Sunday Ben Roethlisberger sat at home in Pittsburgh watching the Steelers-Browns game with his family after being ruled out to give him some rest before the playoffs.

As he watched along with his family, getting lots of questions from his son Benjamin, he kept a close eye on things knowing there was the potential he might see the Browns in person real soon.

And that is exactly what happened as the Steelers host the Browns at Heinz Field in the Wild Card Round on Sunday Night Football.

I enjoyed watching the game, not as much as playing in it. I sat at home and watched it with my family. I felt like my son asked me a question every single play, so I felt like I was really extra engaged in it.

Watching it with the knowledge that potentially we could play them again, but not knowing what opponent it was going to be. I would love to have known early on it was them, but I definitely watched it close.

Roethlisberger is looking forward to Sunday’s game, just like he does every opportunity he has to play in the postseason. He knows how precious those moments are, how rare they can be, and how you have to take advantage of every opportunity. He has played in 21 career postseason games, but not since 2017, and admits you never know when it will be your last opportunity as they aren’t guaranteed.

I think every player should approach this playoff game like it could be their last playoff game ever. We’ve used examples of players and coaches who have been in this league for a long time that have never been in the postseason, never been to a Super Bowl, whatever it may be. I think it’s prudent for every player to take that mindset and approach. I know I am because nothing is guaranteed in the game, or this world.

Roethlisberger, who said they had another players only meeting on Wednesday to talk about the postseason, said he feels the meetings are valuable as he can already see how the young players have responded to a players only meeting held a few weeks ago.

I think guys took it to heart, I […]

I need to play my best football – that I’ve ever played in my life, truthfully. We’ve got a very good football team, a very special football team. I need to be on my p&q’s, I need to be my best, I need to not turn the ball over. I need to do everything I can to help us win football games. — Ben, on playing in the games going forward.

with Teresa Varley at Steelers.com:

The 2020 regular season is barely over for the black and gold, but the Steelers already know their opponents for the 2021 season.

While the dates and times won’t be announced for a while, normally in April, the Steelers know who will be on the regular season schedule, including the traditional AFC North opponents.

At home the Steelers will play the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns in the North, in addition to the Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans

On the road the team will face Baltimore, Cincinnati and Cleveland, as well as the Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers and Minnesota Vikings.

More here.

The first one is from Steelers legend Rocky Bleier, responding to a question posed by ESPN’s SportsCenter:

The @_BigBen7 return to the field with the @steelers

— Rocky Bleier (@RockyBleier) December 31, 2020

And the second, a “Thank You” to be Ben (and James Conner) from Sean Gallagher, who produced Ben’s “Bigger Than Ben” series this past year. The four-part series took us behind the scenes as Ben fought his way back from surgery to return under center for the Pittsburgh Steelers 2020 Season.

This year has been insane. I was scared and fearful of the opportunities I'd get with everything being shut down. But i can't thank @_BigBen7 & @JamesConner_ enough for helping me stay consistent and my friends and family for their support!! 2k21 🔜 pic.twitter.com/9kRFj9m3Ls

— Sean Michael 📸 (@SeanGallagherxx) December 31, 2020

You can watch (or re-watch) all four episodes of “Bigger Than Ben” here.

Have a happy and safe New Year’s Holiday weekend!

“I feel good. I really do. I know there has been so many crazy reports from the national people out there about my knees, how I feel. Those are just arthritis, that’s old age. My elbow, where I had surgery, feels really good. I am excited to see since where we are a little over a year out from surgery, how it’s going to feel as we move forward. I don’t feel like there has been any letdown in terms of how it feels. I think the doctors, rehab and everybody did a great job and I am very thankful to them for it.” — Ben.

From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:

Ben Roethlisberger smiled during his weekly Zoom call with the media and admitted he doesn’t mind that he will get a breather this week.

Roethlisberger isn’t playing against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, instead resting as the Steelers have already wrapped up a playoff spot and the AFC North Division title.

“I’m excited to get a little bit of rest this week.”

With Roethlisberger resting, Mason Rudolph will get the start on Sunday in Cleveland, seeing action for only the third time in 2020.

Rudolph previously played sparingly in the Week 6 game against Cleveland and in Week 9 at Dallas.

He has completed three of the four passes he attempted for nine yards.

Roethlisberger said he will be there in a support role for Rudolph, helping the third-year signal caller any way he can.

“I will be here for Mason, for Josh, whoever it may be – kind of like last year. That is the approach I want to take. I never want to step on toes, but I will be available for questions, to help. I have already talked to Mason about that. That is going to be my role this week is to really try and do everything I can to help them and to get them prepared for this game.”

Last year Rudolph started in a Week 11 matchup against the Browns on Thursday Night Football, struggling in a 21-7 loss where he threw four interceptions and was sacked four times. The game was also marred by an incident near the end that resulted in the ejection of multiple players, including Browns defensive lineman Myles Garrett.

“There are a couple of ways you can […]

From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:

It’s the time of year when honors are handed out and that was the case when Ben Roethlisberger and Chase Claypool were both honored by the Pittsburgh Chapter of Pro Football Writers of America. Roethlisberger is the winner of ‘The Chief’ Award, while Claypool won the Joe Greene Great Performance Award, presented to the team’s top rookie.

‘The Chief’ Award, which was established in honor of Steelers’ founder, Arthur J. Rooney, Sr., is presented annually to a member of the Steelers’ organization that best exemplifies the spirit of cooperation with the media that he embodied. This is the second time Roethlisberger won the award, previously doing so in 2010.

In a year like no other working with the media, Roethlisberger is always willing to step up no matter what the situation. Whether it was during the week or after games, he has mastered being available via Zoom through good and bad. He has never shied away from talking and answers every question. He is so consistent that Wednesdays are now affectionately called ‘Bensday.’

And Roethlisberger has had a consistent message the entire season. It hasn’t been about statistics, but just about winning and getting back to where the Steelers are accustomed to being, the postseason.

“I would say the biggest stat is (the record),” said Roethlisberger earlier this season. “I don’t think anybody cares about their stats right now. No one is complaining. No one is coming to me. I am not exactly playing lights out. Their stats are directly reflective of the way I play. If I am not playing well, their stats aren’t going to be very good. Obviously, some of their numbers are down because I am not playing as well as I should be and need to be playing.”

Roethlisberger, who is in his 17th season and holds the Steelers record for most games played with 233, provided insight into multiple areas this season that he hadn’t previously. For starters, the potential Hall of Fame quarterback spent time in practice early in the season working on anything from the basics a rookie would focus on to the minute details that makes him the perfectionist he is.

“Going back and reviewing, I felt from Week 1 to Week 2, my pocket presence and awareness was better,” explained Roethlisberger early […]