Big Ben: 49ers reached out in 2022
Former Steelers star thinks San Francisco wanted to gauge his interest in returning to field
As the 49ers were struggling to keep their quarterbacks healthy in 2022, former Pittsburgh Steelers star Ben Roethlisberger said Tuesday the club reached out to see if he was interested in coming out of retirement.
“They were, I think, reaching out maybe just to gauge my interest,” Roethlisberger told 105.9 The X host Mark Madden and reported by SteelersNow.com. “I had discussions. … I’d be lying if I didn’t say there was a small part of me that was intrigued. I could still do it and prove to people that I could still play. At the end of the day, I just can’t see myself in anything other than black and gold.”
Roethlisberger, who turned 41 on March 2, retired after the 2021 season with 64,088 yards passing and 418 touchdowns in 18 seasons. The 49ers opened 2022 with Trey Lance at quarterback, then pivoted to Jimmy Garoppolo when Lance fractured an ankle in Week 2.
Garoppolo was re-signed as insurance for Lance either being injured or ineffective and was available at a reduced contract because he was coming off shoulder surgery. Brock Purdy, the last selection of the 2022 NFL Draft, was kept on the roster as a No. 3 quarterback.
Roethlisberger was not clear on the timing of the 49ers’ interest. Was it before Garoppolo came back on final cutdown day? After Lance was hurt? After Garoppolo was lost to a broken foot in Week 13, necessitating the move to Purdy?
Purdy, of course, was a revelation as the starter, starting and winning the last five regular season games and two playoff games before being lost to a UCL tear in his right elbow during the NFC Championship Game loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. Josh Johnson, signed after Garoppolo’s injury to back up Purdy, played briefly in the game
but left with a concussion.
Both Lance and Purdy are rehabbing injuries. Lance had a second surgery on his fractured foot but is expected to be available in some capacity during OTAs and good to go for training camp. Purdy, after surgery on his elbow, is expected back in late August or early September.
Last week in free agency, the 49ers signed Sam Darnold, a former No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. The quarterback situation will be sorted out depending on the health of Lance and Purdy as well as Darnold’s development in the system of Kyle Shanahan.
Roethlisberger intends on staying retired.
“I love waking up in the morning and not having issues with my knees and shoulders and elbows,” he said.