Boss Tomlin eager to see Big Ben’s return
NEW YORK: Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin knows his quarterback has a long way to go to return from right elbow surgery but figures Ben Roethlisberger will be ready when the 2020 regular season opens.
“I have no hesitation, and I base that opinion on my experience and relationship with him and being around him for the number of years that I have,” Tomlin said on Monday of Roethlisberger on ESPN.
“This guy is the ultimate competitor. He’s dropped the gauntlet down, he’s made a statement that he’s coming back and I look forward to watching him answer that challenge.”
Roethlisberger, who will turn 38 on March 2, underwent surgery on Sept 23 to repair the season-ending injury he sustained in a week two game against the Seattle Seahawks. He has a checkup scheduled for Friday in Los Angeles.
Though Roethlisberger’s rehabilitation will be a painstakingly slow process, Tomlin likes what he sees of his veteran QB.
“Man, he looks great, but he’s not doing anything,” Tomlin said. “He looks awesome, man, but he hasn’t been asked to do anything as it pertains to his rehabilitation. The process day-today is going great but we’re not at a significant crossroad and it’s going to be a number of days before we are.”
Earlier this month, team owner Art Rooney II also expressed optimism regarding Ben Ben’s return.
The 16-year veteran star has thrown for 56,545 yards with 363 touchdown passes and 191 interceptions in 218 games (216 starts).
Roethlisberger guided the Steelers to Super Bowl titles after the 2005 and 2008 seasons, and he made another Super Bowl appearance after the 2010 campaign.