“Waking up today to see how it was going to feel, and it feels great. That is kind of what I anticipated. We have been working more than usual in the offseason in terms of throwing. I’ve put together a regimen of two to three days a week throwing for the last two months, if not longer. I think the plan is still to pitch-count if you will through training camp. I worked really hard (Monday) in terms of a lot of throws. I will try half that amount today and then tomorrow back off again, just to see how it’s going to feel. This is a really different training camp. You are not really doing one-on-ones; you are not doing seven-on-seven right now. We are building up, working on timing with receivers, tight ends, running backs. I have had no setbacks. It feels really, really good. I am really excited about that.” — Ben, during his interview with the media today.

From Teresa Varley, Steelers.com:

This offseason, we saw peeks of hope. First, there was a video of Roethlisberger throwing in an empty gym. Then, video of him throwing to his teammates surfaced and the reviews started to come in, with teammates singing the praises of how the all-everything quarterback looked.

And now, almost 11 months after Steelers Nation collectively had their heart in their throats, Ben is back.

Roethlisberger has resumed throwing at Heinz Field with the team’s training camp underway and is happy to be back, even if he was a little nervous out of the gate.

“I am very nervous by the way. I am not sure why,” admitted Roethlisberger about talking to the media during the start of a zoom call. “I haven’t spoken to you guys in so long. Forgive me if I take a minute to think about some of my answers.”

Roethlisberger said he threw a lot on Monday, and that he felt good doing it, even almost 24 hours later.

Roethlisberger is returning from surgery on his throwing elbow, something that could hinder any quarterback. But, heading into his 17th season with the black and gold, he isn’t letting it hinder him at all and never doubted that he would return in 2020.

“I knew it hurt. I knew I had some options. I just didn’t feel […]

From Bob Labriola, Steelers.com:

During a Zoom call today, the Steelers offensive coordinator was asked if there is anything about this run-up to the 2020 regular season that would qualify as normal, and somewhat shockingly Fichtner didn’t need much time to think of something.

“That might be the easiest question to answer,” said Fichtner. “Normal now becomes Ben Roethlisberger back in the huddle. He’s paired up with Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro and some of those guys up front. That just gives you the normalcy. That will be normal. That’s what we’re used to. Just getting back to normal will be looking at a group of mostly experienced players and being excited about what this journey, this season, is going to bring.”

Fichtner admitted that he didn’t get a chance to spend time with Roethlisberger during the offseason, but he was able to see him doing some throwing on the videos that were making the rounds on social media. That changed over the last day or so now that quarterbacks have been allowed to return to their teams, and even though Fichtner indicated he expected to see Roethlisberger throwing a football soon, the rules set forth by the NFL and the NFLPA don’t allow for something as basic as a padless 7-on-7 drill until the middle of August. And don’t forget, no preseason games this summer.

“We’ll have to take advantage of those game situations we can present for him against our defense,” said Fichtner about how the process of getting Roethlisberger ready is likely to unfold. “Naturally, the first thing is we have to get a feel for where he is, and his arm will tell us. It’s not unusual for us to work him a day, then work him a half-day, then get him a day’s rest, and he knows that routine. It’s going to be a little bit different kind of camp, and so I think we’ll have to play that by ear (in terms of) how he feels and how much he wants, because there are going to be times when he wants it all, and we’re going to have to back him off. That’s a good thing.”


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