Examining Ben Roethlisberger’s Case as First Ballot Hall of Famer In 2027
When it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, there are a couple of players that have been on the outside looking in. One of them is LC Greenwood. On Thursday night, Greenwood was once again snubbed from induction into Canton. The other is Hines Ward, who continues to fall short of becoming a semi finalist.
The Steelers will have a pair of prominent names as first ballot Hall of Fame candidates in 2027 - Antonio Brown and Ben Roethlisberger. Although Brown was regarded as the best wide receiver in the decade of the 2010’s, his off the field antics and personal issues should likely keep him out on the first try. As for Roethlisberger, does he make it next year?
Roethlisberger played 18 seasons in the NFL - all coming with the Black & Gold. He finished his career seventh in passing yards (64,088), while placing ninth in touchdown passes (418).
In terms of quarterbacks this century, Roethlisberger is one of only five to win at least two Super Bowls; joining Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Peyton Manning, and Eli Manning.
In Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl 43 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, Roethlisberger executed perhaps the greatest touchdown pass in Super Bowl history, with a perfectly thrown ball to Santonio Holmes.
The one knock voters may have on Roethlisberger is that he was never a first-team All-Pro. However, his career numbers I feel are enough to overshadow that fact.
Despite winning four Super Bowls, another legendary Steelers QB, Terry Bradshaw, had roughly 36,000 less passing yards than Roethlisberger. Now sure, Bradshaw played in an era where quarterbacks didn’t put up huge passing numbers, but it still highlights how impressive Roethlisberger’s career marks are.
Aside from the stellar stats, Roethlisberger had the intangible reputation of being the toughest quarterback to take down in his era, or any other era.
Compiling all the accolades and facts, Ben Roethlisberger should receive the call to Canton as a first ballot Hall of Fame QB.