Ben Roethlisberger is one of the most polarizing players in NFL history. He is also one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever grace the gridiron. However, their are still some around NFL circles that would keep Roethlisberger far away from their Top 10 all time quarterbacks list. Considering Roethlisberger will retire holding Top 5 career statistics across all the major passing categories it’s safe to say stats alone won't push the needle. However, what could is adding another Super Bowl title to his collection.
Roethlisberger is currently in a multi-way tie for fifth place in quarterbacks with two rings. Only Tom Brady (7), Terry Bradshaw (4), Joe Montana (4), and Troy Aikman (3) stand above him on the title rankings. That third ring though wouldn’t just tie him with Aikman but push him above the like of Peyton & Eli Manning, Roger Staubach, and his childhood idol John Elway. It would also bring Roethlisberger another ring past the ringless Marino who many still call the greatest quarterback in league history.
In my mind, having the stats and the rings would push Ben above most of his two ring contemporaries, and solidify him as, at minimum, as a Top 10 quarterback. In reality, a third ring for Roethlisberger should see the gunslinger fairly ranked as a Top 5 quarterback in history. At the end of the day, however, the national media will likely never get on Ben’s side and probably rank him slightly lower than where he should be until the end of time.
Ben Roethlisberger will not go down until he’s throwing touchdowns.@TeamJuJu snags this one. (Via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/OWYqqYN6IZ
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) November 15, 2020
The only two things I can think of that would shut the doubters up for good is if Roethlisberger wins a pair of rings back-to-back before calling it a career. or he has a league MVP like season in which he re-writes the record books while hoisting another Lombardi trophy. Unfortunately, these two things are extremely unlikely; however, I can see Roethlisberger being the difference maker in one more Super Bowl run.
But what do you think? Where does Roethlisberger stand today in the history of NFL quarterbacks, and what would another championship ring do for his stock? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.