Pittsburgh, PA – April 22, 2025. Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger has publicly criticized general manager Omar Khan for failing to lock in a starting quarterback as the 2025 NFL Draft nears, sources told ESPN Wednesday. With the team’s quarterback crisis deepening, Roethlisberger’s remarks underscore mounting frustration in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers, coming off a 10-7 season and a wild-card loss, remain without a QB1 after losing Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Khan’s pursuit of Aaron Rodgers has stalled since March, leaving Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson as the only quarterbacks on the roster.
Omar’s got to get this done—time’s running out, Roethlisberger said on his Footbahlin podcast.
Roethlisberger, a two-time Super Bowl champion, lambasted Khan’s inaction, pointing to the team’s $2 million cap space and lack of a clear plan. Despite bold moves like trading for DK Metcalf and Kyle Pitts, the absence of a quarterback threatens Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes.
You can’t win without a QB—it’s that simple, Roethlisberger told 93.7 The Fan.
Khan’s efforts to lure Rodgers, who’s weighing retirement or other teams like the Giants, have yielded no deal. Roethlisberger argued that alternatives like trading for Kirk Cousins or drafting Shedeur Sanders at pick 21 should’ve been finalized, given the urgency.
Khan’s sitting on his hands while the division moves forward, NFL analyst Matt Miller said.
The Steelers’ offense, now featuring Metcalf and Pitts, hinges on a quarterback to unlock its potential. Roethlisberger’s critique echoes fan discontent, with Rudolph’s 49.2 QBR and Thompson’s inexperience offering little hope for a Super Bowl run.
We need a leader, not a placeholder, coach Mike Tomlin said.
As the draft looms, Khan faces pressure to deliver a QB1 to end an eight-year playoff win drought. Roethlisberger’s stinging words signal a call to action—secure a quarterback or risk squandering a talented roster in 2025.
