Mike Tomlin’s exit from the Pittsburgh Steelers after 19 years is bittersweet. But despite many prospects on the market, the latest question on many fans’ minds has been whether their former QB1, Ben Roethlisberger, could carry the torch for Coach T. However, reacting to this speculation, the two-time Super Bowl champ had a perfect response.

“Zero chance,” Roethlisberger said on his Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger podcast. “No chance, not this guy. I will say this: If [Steelers ownership] says, ‘Hey Ben, we’d love to bring you in to consult on a new coach and talk to him,’ I would absolutely be open to doing that. But I’m not coaching. No chance.”

Being a culturally storied and historic program, controlling the reins of the Steelers franchise isn’t easy. And having been a quarterback for them for his entire 18-year NFL career, Roethlisberger understands just how challenging the role is. Just take Tomlin’s example.

After he graduated from college in 1994, the defensive mastermind took up the role of college coach until he entered the NFL as a defensive backs coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He then moved to the Minnesota Vikings in 2006 as a defensive coordinator and has been with the Steelers since 2007. Meanwhile, postgraduate life and family had been pretty much on the back burner for the legendary coach.

In fact, Roethlisberger even agreed that a head coach’s life is much harder than a player’s, with additional hours put into the game and the responsibilities that come with the role. Instead, Roethlisberger would rather take up a consultation role similar to what former Dallas Cowboys’ legendary quarterback Troy Aikman did for the Miami Dolphins this season. He helped the latter with their general manager search and is also reportedly involved in their next HC search.

Roethlisberger also has one piece of advice for the Steelers as they begin their next head coach hunt.

Big Ben advises the Steelers to move away from their one historic aspect

Pittsburgh is known for one thing: its Steel Curtain, a.k.a. its defense. However, Roethlisberger has suggested that they shift away from the old style of play and approach.

“I understand that Steelers football is about defense and running the ball, but why not mix it up?” Roethlisberger said. “Why not bring in a head coach that’s offensive-minded, that would kind of change it up? Six points are not enough points in a playoff game. You can’t do that. Let’s bring in a head coach that’s offensively minded and allow him to then bring in a defensive coordinator. I would love to see a little bit of a shift in the head coach to be more of an offensive guy.”

Roethlisberger’s call for an offensive overhaul isn’t just talk; it’s a direct response to a decade of disappointment. The Steelers are currently saddled with the NFL’s longest active playoff losing streak (seven games), a slump defined by anemic starts.

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The team has gone 70 straight games without scoring more than seven first-quarter points, leading to a staggering 73-0 aggregate deficit in the opening quarter of their last six playoff games. Even with slight improvements in 2025, finishing 26th in total offense underscores why Big Ben believes a new offensive mind is non-negotiable.

Historically, the Steelers have leaned toward defensive-minded leaders and built around that identity, but the offense has struggled for too long to ignore.

Because the team still needs to find its long-term quarterback, there’s a real argument for hiring an offensive head coach who can help develop a young passer from day one. That’s why names like Nate Scheelhaase stand out, as he fits what the Steelers value in young, disciplined coaches who develop players and earn their opportunities.

His rise from college quarterback to fast-tracked NFL assistant shows why decision-makers respect his résumé, especially since he chose to challenge himself at the pro level instead of waiting for a guaranteed college job.

Still, the team knows offense-only thinking isn’t required, as quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Drake Maye have grown under defensive head coaches. In the end, the quarterback doesn’t force the Steelers’ hand, but it clearly adds another layer to how they evaluate their next coach.

While the head coach search continues in Pittsburgh, Ben Roethlisberger also took time to celebrate the historic career of Mike Tomlin.

Ben Roethlisberger writes a special message for Mike Tomlin

Ben Roethlisberger spent his entire 18-season NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. For 15 of those seasons, he played under head coach Mike Tomlin, including their Super Bowl XLIII victory in the 2008 season. Reflecting on this time, Roethlisberger posted a heartfelt message for coach Tomlin.

“Coach T, we got to spend 15 years together, and through the ups & downs, it was a great ride. Thank you for all you did for me and this team, and this community! You are a legend, and one of the greatest to do it! Here is to the next chapter – whatever that looks like,” Roethlisberger wrote.

Interestingly, he also suggested that the Steelers should move on from Tomlin after the team lost it’s yet another playoff wild card game last week. However, once it was all said and done, the departure did come out as a bittersweet feeling.

Tomlin helped the Steelers develop a cultural identity. As the longest tenured head coach in NFL history, he probably handcrafted most of the strategies Pittsburgh used. However, despite 193 wins in 309 total regular season games played and a Super Bowl ring in just his second season with them, the rest of his career became a silence in the postseason. He did not deliver a single losing regular season in his time at Pittsburgh, but he also failed to give them a postseason satisfaction.

In the end, after losing the game to the Houston Texans, Tomlin simply went to owner Art Rooney II’s office and suggested his next move, his exit.

Roethlisberger’s message shows the strong connection they built during their 15 years together in Pittsburgh. Despite any earlier disagreements, his words show real appreciation for a partnership that shaped both their careers. However, if the Steelers nation was wondering if they could see their former quarterback on the sidelines as a head coach, they will need to put a pin on it.