Cam Heyward hits back at former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger saying today's NFL players are 'coddled'

The Ben Roethlisberger retirement tour has taken a turn for the crotchety.

The 18-year Steelers quarterback has recently taken aim at NIL and the current NFL culture, saying the NFL has "It turned from a team-first to a me-type attitude. It was hard. It’s hard for these young guys, too. Social media. They’re treated so well in college," according to Yahoo.

Roethlisberger has had plenty to say as the season has ramped up.

He added: "Now, this new NIL stuff, which is unbelievable. They’re treated so special. They’re coddled at a young age because college coaches need them to win, too. I know Coach (Terry) Hoeppner never coddled me. Neither did (Bill) Cowher.”

Disregarding the dubious nature of the source — Roethlisberger built up a reputation around Pittsburgh for his entitlement — the comments paint the picture of someone who isn't used to seeing players advocate for themselves and confuses that with a "me-type attitude."

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Cam Heyward responds

These comments, which came from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, have some current Steelers justifiably a bit confused as to who he's talking about, including current defensive captain Cam Heyward.

"They rubbed me the wrong way," Heyward said about Roethlisberger's comments in his "Not Just Football" podcast. "I was a little bit upset about it. ... It looks as though we're looked at as selfish players, and I think that's not the point. I think we have a lot of young players that come from different backgrounds. I think we have guys that have experienced different things than what I or somebody else may have experienced.

"That doesn't make them selfish or more of a me-type attitude. ... There are a lot more guys you think are team-first guys than just me-type in attitude. I took offense to that."

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Ben Roethlisberger clarifies remarks

Upon Heyward's rebuttal, Roethlisberger walked back his comments a bit on WDVE Thursday morning.

"I probably should've been more detailed, more specific," he said on the radio show. "It's not the majority of guys are that way ... Cam and I have sat down many times in the last couple years and had the same conversations.

"I get [Heyward] supporting his teammates. I wasn't trying to bash anyone specifically, I was just making a broad stroke comment... I agree w/ him and I should've been more clear. the majority of guys on that team are team-first guys."

Steelers quarterback depth chart in 2022

Ben Roethlisberger took over as Pittsburgh's starting QB in Week 3 of his rookie season in 2004. Since drafting Roethlisberger, only three other QBs have started Week 1 or the Steelers — Tommy Maddox in 2004, Charlie Batch in 2006 and Dennis Dixon in 2010.

The Steelers are in the midst of a competition to figure out who their next quarterback will be, whether it's Mitchell Trubisky, Kenny Pickett or Mason Rudolph. According to Ourlads.com, Trubisky currently sits atop the depth chart followed by Pickett and Rudolph.

Pickett was the 20th overall pick in this year's draft while Trubisky signed a two-year, $14.3 million dollar contract as a free agent back in March. They are considered the front runners ahead of Rudolph who has started 10 games for the Steelers over the last three seasons filling in for Roethlisberger.

If a QB battle in Pittsburgh feels rare, that's because it is even predating Roethlisberger. You have to go all the way back to 1996 for the last time the Steelers had an open competition for the starting QB job.

Steelers schedule in 2022

The Steelers have three preseason games, starting with the Seahawks on August 13 followed by the Jaguars on August 20 and the Lions on August 28. They open the regular season September 11 on the road at Cincinnati. 

Here's a look at their complete schedule in 2022.