The former Steelers quarterback said Monday night before his induction into the team’s Hall of Honor that Tomlin, the NFL’s longest-tenured coach, has earned the right to leave on his own terms.
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Roethlisberger raised eyebrows two weeks ago when he suggested on his podcast after Pittsburgh’s home loss to Buffalo that it might be time in the offseason for the Steelers to “find the next guy.”
Tomlin is in his 19th season in Pittsburgh and his resume includes a pair of Super Bowl appearances, including a win over Arizona with Roethlisberger at quarterback after the 2008 season.
While the Steelers have been playoff regulars, they also haven’t won a postseason game since the divisional round in 2016, the franchise’s longest stretch without a playoff victory since Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception more than five decades ago.
Roethlisberger, the franchise leader in all major passing categories and a two-time Super Bowl champion, backed off a bit in his comments before being inducted into the Hall of Honor with former center Maurkice Pouncey and linebacker Joey Porter Sr.
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“Just because I said that, you know, there’s time for maybe some new things, that just says that I think, you know, Coach Tomlin, if you want to move forward, you have every right to want to,” Roethlisberger said. “Not that they should. It’s up to him.”
Roethlisberger, who emphasized that he cares about criticizing plays but not players on his podcast, has no problem if Tomlin stays indefinitely.
“We should honor him when that time comes, whenever that may be,” Roethlisberger said. “Maybe I want to train another 10 years. That’s fine too.”
Roethlisberger, 43, who retired after the 2021 season and will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the first time next year, added that he has no plans to pull a Philip Rivers and run back onto the field when he’s in his 40s.
“If I had a little work, I could (do it),” he said. “Listen, my right arm works fine, I promise. What I’m worried about is the rest of my body.”
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