In the wake of a few ex-teammates and a handful of national commentators piling on Ben Roethlisberger for his leadership qualities (or lack thereof), Mike Tomlin came to his franchise quarterback’s defense.
“I have no problem with his play or his leadership,” Tomlin said Tuesday, according to ESPN.
The Pittsburgh Steelers coach was speaking in Arizona at the NFL annual meetings.
Roethlisberger’s leadership was called into question by Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell after the All-Pros each left the organization earlier this month. Also, former little-used backup running back Josh Harris posted on Twitter that Roethlisberger once fumbled on purpose and indicated that was representative of his character.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin from the NFL owners meetings: ‘We all need to look in the mirror' after 9-6-1 season. pic.twitter.com/zHeRidOqpz
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 26, 2019
Tomlin would not directly address any of the accusations.
“I have no reaction to former Steelers and things of that nature,” he said, per the video provided by ESPN. Tomlin mostly spoke in generalities regarding Roethlisberger, saying he would talk to him about improving in 2019, as all of the Steelers need to do coming off a 9-6-1 season.
“Not in response to any criticism from the outside or anything of that nature,” Tomlin said.
Asked if Roethlisberger and he had spoken about what the quarterback can do better, Tomlin said this wasn’t the time of year for that, with both men busy and not sharing the same workspace on a daily basis like they do in the summer and fall.
“I don’t think he’s devoid of leadership skills and talents,” Tomlin said Monday from Phoenix, according to ESPN. “I think he’s more than capable as a quarterback. I think he’s more than capable a leader. But yes, do I expect growth and development? Certainly. I expect growth and development from all of us. I expect growth and development from myself from a leadership standpoint based on the experiences that we’ve had.”
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