Ben Roethlisberger drops weight as he enters 15th NFL season

Ben Roethlisberger’s “Big Ben” nickname has typically been used in a positive light during his Hall of Fame career. Officially listed at 6’5 and 240 pounds, Roethlisber…er…Ben Ben, has used his girth to shed off would be tacklers while turning negative plays into big plays for the black and gold.

While his size has led to positive things for the Steelers, it’s also been somewhat of a concern amongst Steeler Nation who want to see Roethlisberger extend his career if he is physically able to do so. His size has also led to national ridicule from time to time, as other quarterbacks, most notably Tom Brady, are conversely praised for how their treatment of their bodies has extended their primes while slowing down the aging process.

Roethlisberger, as he enters his 15th NFL season, apparently took a page from Brady’s book on nutrition, as Pittsburgh’s signal caller arrived at training camp notably thinner after making several changes to his diet this offseason.

Ben Roethlisberger wouldn’t reveal his weight, but said he is lighter than he has been in past 7-8 years. Said he cut out carbs and sugars and worked with personal trainer in the offseason

— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) July 26, 2018

A better conditioned Roethlisberger is certainly a good thing for the Steelers. Last season, at the age of 35, Big Ben had one of his best seasons while throwing for 4,251 yards with 28 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 15 regular season games. A Pro Bowler each of the past four seasons, Roethlisberger threw 22 touchdowns against just seven interceptions following his five interception outing in Pittsburgh’s Week 5 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He threw at least two touchdown passes in seven consecutive games during that span that included consecutive four touchdown efforts in victories over the Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers. His 506-yard passing performance in the team’s Week 14 victory over the Baltimore Ravens marked the third 500-yard passing performance of his career, the most 500-yard passing games in NFL history.

After throwing five touchdowns in Pittsburgh’s playoff loss to Jacksonville, Big Ben immediately stated that he would be back for the 2018 season. This offseason, he said on multiple occasions that he would like to play beyond his current contract (that extends after the 2019 season) but added that he is taking things year to year while only fully committing to playing in 2018 (the best guess is that Roethlisberger at least plays through his current contract).

While his place in the Hall of Fame is already secured, Roethlisberger continuing his career into his late ’30s will give him a few more milestones. It will enable him to move further up the NFL’s career lists in passing yards, passing touchdowns and all-time wins by a starting quarterback (he’s currently top 10 all-time in each of those rankings). With another Super Bowl win, he’ll join Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw, Troy Aikman and Brady as the only starting quarterbacks with three Super Bowl rings. And while Pittsburgh may only have himself, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell in tact for one more season, Big Ben is confident that the Steelers’ Super Bowl window will remain open as long as he is under center for the black and gold.

“Not one person can make or break you,” Roethlisberger told Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review when asked about the prospect of playing without Bell after this season. “One person can help you. When you have core group of guys together I think that’s the most important thing, and we’ve got a good group.”