Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is mad as heck about losing Bruce Arians as offensive coordinator, and he wants words with the boss over the situation.
Arians, 59, announced his retirement Friday but previously indicated the team wouldn’t renew his contract.
“When I get back, I’m going to go up to Mr. Rooney’s office and ask him what he wants from me, what he wants from this offense, because I think that’s a viable question for him,” Roethlisberger told the Tribune-Review on Thursday as he practiced for Sunday’s Pro Bowl. “He’s our owner and our boss, so I really would like to know kind of what he wants and where he sees our offense going because I’d like to tell him where I see us going.”
Rooney has let it be known he’s disappointed with the Steelers offense, which scored just over 20 points per game this past season, 21st in the NFL. The Steelers were more effective in the yardage department, ranking 12th in total offense at 372.3 yards per game.
“Big Ben” may have a close bond with Arians, but Rooney didn’t want to look back after his departure.
“The question of how we got here is not really relevant,” Rooney told the team’s website this week. “Bruce talked about retiring for a number of years now. We are looking to improve on offense and to have somebody in place for a number of years. We are looking forward to moving on.”
Steelers quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtner joined Roethlisberger in Hawaii, although the original plan was to have Arians there.
“Change is always different,” Roethlisberger told the paper. “It doesn’t mean it’s good or it’s bad. You just don’t know yet. I think the (Steelers’) mind was made up, and B.A. was kind of ready to move on as well.”
