Cameron Heyward tired of 'badmouthing' he hears about Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger

Cameron Heyward has heard the criticism lobbied at Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during the offseason.

He is tired of it.

Heyward defended his teammate and fellow captain Monday after the first day of organized team activities. Roethlisberger and Heyward, the two longest-tenured players on the team, both participated in the voluntary workout.

“When I hear the badmouthing about him not being a great quarterback, and everybody is ready to elevate other quarterbacks, what have they done?” Heyward said. “This guy is a proven winner, yet we are ready to discount him?”

Roethlisberger is a two-time Super Bowl champion who has appeared in a third championship game. He also threw 33 touchdown passes, the second-highest total in his 17-year NFL career, against 10 interceptions last season.

Still, one CBS Sports analyst recently ranked Roethlisberger behind Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, whose rookie season was cut short by injury. And Roethlisberger’s former teammate, SiriusXM radio host Bruce Gradkowski, listed him 16th out of 32 starting quarterbacks. Gradkowski ranked Roethlisberger behind Baker Mayfield and players such as Ryan Tannehill, Derek Carr and Kirk Cousins.

“We’re just blowing it out of proportion,” Heyward said. “The dude went 11-0 to start last season. How many other quarterbacks did that?”

Roethlisberger, however, also had a horrendous finish. He was intercepted six times in his final six starts, and he threw four interceptions in the 48-37 playoff loss to Cleveland. The Steelers lost five of their final six games.

“I’ve seen this guy win Super Bowls on TV,” said Heyward, who was at Ohio State when the Steelers last appeared in the Super Bowl. “I’ve seen him day-in and day-out compete. You get frustrated. I know Ben puts in the work, and I know how much he cares about this team. If he didn’t want to do it and if he was just here for the money, that’s one thing. But I don’t think we have to worry about that.

“When he steps into this building, he’s 100% dedicated to this.”

Steelers president Art Rooney II, general manager Kevin Colbert and coach Mike Tomlin sat down with Roethlisberger after the season and outlined changes that were coming to the offense under new coordinator Matt Canada. Roethlisberger also had to take a $5 million pay cut in order to return for an 18th season.

Heyward thinks the offseason additions of rookie running back Najee Harris and tight end Pat Freiermuth will help the Steelers offense not rely so heavily on Roethlisberger in 2021. Roethlisberger’s 608 pass attempts were third-most in the NFL last season and came in his first year back from right elbow surgery.

“Having greater balance is going to make him that much more dangerous,” Heyward said. “You bring in guys. I know the offensive line is in flux, but they are going to be better because they are learning a different system. We bring in another running back, the receivers are a year older, we bring in another tight end. I think all these things are going to help Ben, and I’m excited for him.”