Ben Roethlisberger among big-name Steelers present for start of offseason program

Ben Roethlisberger speaks. … but only to Steelers.com. And only about the start of the Pittsburgh Steelers offseason programs.

Roethlisberger was one of a number of big-name Steelers at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Monday, the official beginning of Phase 1 of spring workouts as governed by the collective bargaining agreement. According to Steelers.com, Roethlisberger joined Maurkice Pouncey, Cameron Heyward, Vince Williams, Alejandro Villanueva, Sean Davis, JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Conner and “countless others” on hand for a team meeting and other work.

“I expect nothing else,” Roethlisberger told Steelers.com. “We want to show we are here, dedicated to this team, dedicated to having a great season. We are all about each other.”

Roethlisberger has been (publicly) silent all offseason through the entire Antonio Brown ordeal (he, of course, was traded to Oakland Raiders) — and through lots of criticism lobbed Roethlisberger’s way in regards to his leadership (and other more personal shots at his character).

What was released by the Steelers official website did not quote Roethlisberger about any of those issues, though.

“It’s fun to be here, first and foremost,” Roethlisberger said. “It’s fun to be out there throwing with the guys. I haven’t thrown a football since the last game of the year, so to be able to get out and get some work with new guys, and guys who have been here, it’s fun first.”

Roethlisberger did not speak to media Monday. No other players were made available to media, either.

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