“There’s something about the intangibles that, me as a guy that played it, I think I have a different perspective on it. That’s why, like, if the Steelers were to ask me, ‘Hey, will you look at this?’ ‘Will you evaluate this?’ ‘Will you walk me through what you see here?’ — I would love to do that.” Ben Roethlisberger made it clear that if the Pittsburgh Steelers ever offered him a role in scouting, he’d jump at the chance. And why not? He led the team to two Super Bowl titles with his arm, grit, and leadership. Even now, fans and analysts value his take on the franchise because when Big Ben speaks, people listen. Just like this time.

The NFL dropped the 2025 schedule on Wednesday, and naturally, fans were eager to hear Ben Roethlisberger’s take on the Steelers’ lineup. When handed the full schedule during a segment shared on the Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger podcast’s Instagram story, the former QB took a moment to study it.

Then, giving his honest reaction, he said, “Some primetimers in there. First thought, early bye week (is) never good,” especially with the team heading to Ireland. Those two words, “never good” said a lot. As most NFL vets know, a late-season bye helps players reset and gear up for the grind ahead. But the Steelers didn’t get that luxury, and Roethlisberger clearly wasn’t thrilled.

He also pointed out, “That’s a heavy backload,” referring to a tough stretch that includes matchups against the Colts, Bengals, Bills, Ravens, and Dolphins. It’s a gauntlet. Then add in early-season travel and primetime showdowns with Green Bay and the Chargers, well, you can tell Big Ben’s concerned about the wear and tear on Mike Tomlin‘s squad.

And just when it couldn’t get more interesting, Ben Roethlisberger raised eyebrows at some growing chatter around Aaron Rodgers. Because the Steelers’ first game is with none other than the New York Jets.

Ben Roethlisberger thinks Aaron Rodgers’ drama impacted the schedule?

When Ben Roethlisberger saw Steelers vs. Jets in Week 1, his first reaction was, “I think they’re trying to do the Aaron Rodgers.” And honestly, it makes sense. The buzz is real: Aaron Rodgers could be headed to Pittsburgh. If that happens, his very first game in black and gold would be against the Jets… at MetLife Stadium. Yep, the same place where his chaotic 2024 season came to a crashing end. So, that’s not just a game, it’s a full-on revenge setup.

The Jets let Rodgers go after a rough 5-12 year. And now the Steelers might be handing him the chance to prove them wrong, right on their home turf. Pittsburgh hasn’t gone after any other veteran QB this offseason, and they just brought in DK Metcalf. That feels like they’re building around someone big, and Rodgers fits that mold.

On the other side? Justin Fields, who was benched by the Steelers last year, now starts for New York. So, if this Rodgers deal happens, Week 1 turns into a showdown full of backstories, emotions, and serious fireworks. But the question is: will he? As per some analysts, Rodgers is just wasting Mike Tomlin’s time, and he might hang up his cleats very soon. So, if it happens, he could successfully evade a revenge from the Jets. But like others, Ben Roethlisberger, too, hopes that he joins the franchise.

A day ago, on his podcast, the legendary player said, “I’m not sure what the pulse of the fan base is, I’m sure there are some people who are still holding out hope, and there are other people who are just like, ‘Go. If he wanted to be here, he would have been here by now. He said on Pat’s show that he has some personal issues he’s working on. I have no idea what’s going on, but let the man figure out what he needs to do and go from there.”

It does appear that the NFL wants Rodgers to come back and play for the Steelers. But all the power to make a decision lies in his hands.