It took a couple of years to get fully in sync with Roethlisberger.

Source: https://steelersdepot.com/2023/07/diontae-johnson-happy-to-build-bond-with-pickett-in-camp-but-wishes-we-wouldve-gotten-a-little-more-time-in-during-offseason/

I’ve seen a lot of quarterbacks do it,” Roethlisberger said.

Source: https://steelersdepot.com/2023/08/the-keys-gonna-be-kenny-pickett-big-ben-thinks-qbs-development-will-determine-steelers-success/

Mahomes did it last year for the second time, Tom Brady (second time) and Justin Herbert did it in 2021, and the only others to ever do it were Matthew Stafford (2011), Peyton Manning (2013), Ben Roethlisberger (2018), and Jameis Winston (2019).

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/2023/5/16/23723287/breaking-5k-barrier-kirk-cousins-minnesota-vikings-offense

Not only do the Steelers as a team feel like Pickett can be their long-term answer at quarterback, but so does Roethlisberger after watching him in his first season with the team.

Source: https://fansided.com/2023/05/21/ben-roethlisberger-apologizes-kenny-pickett-selfish/

On top of that, Roethlisberger made it clear during that podcast interview that he’s now a fan of Pickett’s and even wears a No. 8 jersey on gamedays to show his support for the young quarterback.

Source: https://steelersdepot.com/2023/05/going-to-continue-to-build-on-that-relationship-pickett-reflects-reacts-to-roethlisbergers-podcast-comments/

Roethlisberger did what he needed them to when the Steelers needed him to do it, however, including making a tackle or two at a timely moment.

Source: https://steelersdepot.com/2023/05/you-gotta-run-the-football-bill-cowher-fondly-recalls-dan-rooneys-unsolicited-coaching-advice/

Roethlisberger recently had current quarterback Kenny Pickett on his Channel Seven, Footbahlin podcast for the first time and they shared thoughts on the current state of the AFC North.

Source: https://steelersdepot.com/2023/05/you-are-on-your-way-to-being-right-in-that-category-with-them-roethlisberger-to-pickett-on-afc-north-qb-hierarchy/

Roethlisberger said he warmed to Pickett.

Source: https://deadspin.com/ben-roethlisberger-tells-successor-he-didnt-want-him-to-1850461559

Roethlisberger was great in the AFC playoffs the next year.

Source: https://triblive.com/sports/friday-football-footnotes-playing-the-tom-brady-butterfly-effect-game-with-recent-steelers-history/

That day, Coates scored a 72-yard touchdown and a 5-yard touchdown as Roethlisberger leaned heavily on him, targeting him 11 times — tied with Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown — in the 31-13 win.

Source: https://steelersdepot.com/2023/07/going-deep-obscure-steelers-wr-holds-a-pro-football-focus-record/

That’s despite having A-plus talent like QB Ben Roethlisberger, WR Antonio Brown, RB Le’Veon Bell, DL Cam Heyward, and OLB T.J. Watt.

Source: https://steelersdepot.com/2023/11/whats-going-on-hines-ward-concerned-by-steelers-lack-of-recent-success/

There was a major transition at the quarterback position with Ben Roethlisberger retiring.

Source: https://steelersdepot.com/2023/08/wide-receiver-room-a-lot-closer-than-last-season-diontae-johnson-says-were-clicking-way-better/

There was Terry Bradshaw in 1970 and Ben Roethlisberger in 2004.

Source: https://steelersdepot.com/2023/07/passing-on-qb-dan-marino-named-steelers-biggest-franchise-regret/

Well, that was a fun banter back and forth and it’s obvious that Roethlisberger still believes that pass was intended for Sims and not Harris.

Source: https://steelersdepot.com/2023/05/ben-roethlisberger-still-doesnt-believe-kenny-pickett-td-pass-against-ravens-was-intended-for-najee-harris/

While Starks didn’t specifically mention quarterback Ben Roethlisberger by name or the MVP trophy directly, it’s tough to assume he was talking about anything else, especially when you take into account the context of what else he had to say.

Source: https://triblive.com/sports/first-call-juju-smith-schusters-food-trash-talk-terry-bradshaw-still-hates-dumb-tag-ex-steeler-pans-super-bowl-xlv-play-calling/