Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger caused quite a stir on social media after seeming to make a controversial comment regarding Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s playing style.
In a quote taken from a recent episode of his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, the retired quarterback offers his opinion on what aspect of Jackson’s game that teams fear most.
“You don’t really fear Lamar’s arm, his accuracy, all the time,” Roethlisberger said. “You don’t fear him sitting in the pocket and picking you apart.”
This quote was posted on social media without other context, leaving some observers to question why Big Ben would seemingly critique his former AFC North foe like that.
Big Ben on Lamar 😳 pic.twitter.com/zOAZpYwV0f
— PFF (@PFF) April 13, 2023
Ben Roethlisberger on Lamar Jackson;
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 13, 2023
“You don’t fear him sitting in the pocket and picking you apart.”
Teams FEAR Lamar the runner MORE THAN the passer, but don’t use that to tear him down.
For example, Lamar’s Career Passer Rating and QBR in the pocket is better than Big Ben pic.twitter.com/vG0ib38Hka
Jackson is best known for his running talents, as he is one of just two quarterbacks in NFL history to rush over 1,000 yards in a season, and he’s done it twice. Some fans understood Roethlisberger’s argument, as teams tend to fear this aspect of Jackson’s game more than his ability to throw from the pocket.
Here’s the full clip of what the former Pittsburgh quarterback said about Jackson. (The segment specifically about Jackson starts at the 34:38 mark.)
