It’s the quiet time of the football calendar. So, it’s the perfect time of year for historical NFL debate. But FOX Sports’ LeSean McCoy didn’t take too kindly to a quarterback opinion from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger or over the fact he even shared it.
On the newest episode of The Footbahlin Podcast, Roethlisberger argued that if he were building an NFL team, he would prefer to have peak-Aaron Rodgers behind center over Patrick Mahomes in his prime.
The former Philadelphia Eagles running back absolutely ripped Roethlisberger for the hot take.
“Big Ben hates,” McCoy said on FS1’s The Facility on Friday. “One thing about ‘Big Ben,’ you play 18 years, you have no All-Pros, not one, not one first-team, not one second-team.
“This is just me, I don’t respect players that talk about greats a certain way and you have nowhere the type of success they had. You played for 18 years, and you never was considered the best quarterback, or the second-best quarterback in football.”
McCoy is correct, Roethlisberger’s resume doesn’t include a first or second-team All-Pro nomination. Roethlisberger finished his NFL tenure having made six Pro Bowls and two passing titles.
“Big Ben” also led the Steelers to two Super Bowl titles and a third AFC Championship.
Ben Roethlisberger’s Hot Take on Aaron Rodgers
On the surface, Roethlisberger’s claim that Rodgers was better than Mahomes seems initially far-fetched. The only debate before the 2025 Super Bowl national pundits seemingly want to discuss was where Mahomes stands compared to Tom Brady.
Brady versus Mahomes debates assume they are the best two quarterbacks in league history.
But it wasn’t long ago that Rodgers was in that discussion when it was a much more nuanced debate. The topic also once included other elite quarterbacks such as Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Joe Montana, John Elway and perhaps even a few others.
Rodgers won four MVP awards, which is more than anyone else in league history except Manning.
In his prime, Rodgers could do it all, including pick up a first down with his legs. Mahomes, who has won two MVP awards, is similar in that way. The Chiefs quarterback can run if needed, but he’s obviously most dangerous as a thrower.
Mahomes has led the NFL in passing touchdowns twice and passing yards once. Rodgers led the league in passing touchdowns twice and registered a season with 48 touchdowns while throwing only five interceptions.
When discussing the two quarterbacks, Roethlisberger appeared to praise the new Steelers signal-caller more than he shot down Mahomes.
“I would take Aaron in his prime over Patrick now,” Roethlisberger said. “I think Aaron Rodgers, in his prime, was one of the top few to ever do it.
“So is Patrick Mahomes in his prime. Patrick Mahomes is just entering out of his prime. I think Patrick Mahomes is going to go down as another arguable GOAT.”
McCoy Takes Exception to Roethlisberger’s Opinion
McCoy seemed to be suggesting that if a player doesn’t earn an All-Pro nomination during their NFL career, they can’t share an opinion on an all-time great.
The former running back made first-team All-Pro twice with the Eagles in 2011 and 2013. So, he’s not a hypocrite. But it’s a little insane to think only players in the All-Pro club can have hot takes.
The media industry is filled with former players. Media companies prefer to employee them instead of real journalists.
Not every single ex-player in the media made All-Pro. Should ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky not have the right to an opinion on the all-time great quarterbacks because he went 2-10 as an NFL starter in his career?
ESPN doesn’t appear to think so.
Sitting next to McCoy in the FOX studio Friday was former linebacker Emmanuel Acho and ex-wide receiver James Jones. Neither even made the Pro Bowl. Interestingly, both agreed with Roethlisberger, though, that prime-Rodgers was better than Mahomes.
Not to mention, McCoy can’t have it both ways.
“If Aaron Rodgers is so great, how y’all say he is in his prime, how is it possible for you to only have one Super Bowl appearance?” McCoy asked.
McCoy knocked Rodgers for not winning more Super Bowls but criticized Roethlisberger, who won two Super Bowls, for not making All-Pro.
Did Roethlisberger share a hot take on Rodgers to bring more attention to his podcast? Yes, that’s quite possible. Roethlisberger may have also just been stroking Rodgers’ ego to begin forming a public relationship with the new Pittsburgh quarterback.
McCoy’s reaction to Ben Roethlisberger’s opinion could be viewed in the same light — a controversial take to gain ratings.
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