In the ongoing Steelers-Browns Week 17 fallout, former QB Ben Roethlisberger rejected Myles Garrett's claim that Pittsburgh prioritized denying the pass rusher a single-season sack record over victory, calling it 'ridiculous.' The loss has imperiled the Steelers' playoff hopes ahead of their pivotal Ravens clash.
Building on coverage of Pittsburgh's 13-6 upset loss to Cleveland—where the Browns' defense, anchored by Garrett (one sack despite heavy scheming), stifled Aaron Rodgers and the offense—post-game debate intensified around Garrett's narrative.
Garrett, entering with 22 sacks and chasing the 22.5 single-season record shared by T.J. Watt and Michael Strahan, suggested the Steelers focused more on him than winning. On his Footbahlin’ podcast, Roethlisberger pushed back sharply.
“Myles [Garrett] made a comment... ‘The Steelers cared more about me not getting the record than they did about winning the game,’ which is absolutely ridiculous,” Roethlisberger said. “Myles Garrett is a stud. You’re going to put people on him, whether he’s at 10 sacks or 21.5 sacks.”
Roethlisberger highlighted Garrett's elite status (former and likely repeat Defensive Player of the Year), the Steelers' inexperienced O-line (e.g., LT Dylan Cook with four NFL games, RT Troy Fautanu in year two), and Rodgers' age (42), limiting mobility. He noted similar protections were used earlier in the season, with quick releases and sliding pockets.
FS1's Nick Wright amplified concerns on First Things First, pinning the Steelers' dimmed playoff run on Rodgers' play.
“The goal is to go on a real playoff run. And the chances of that ended Sunday afternoon against the Cleveland Browns because Aaron Rodgers was awful,” Wright said.
Rodgers' 21-of-39, 168-yard outing (58 yards on final drive) drew scrutiny for decisions like a fourth-and-1 to Scotty Miller and end-zone throws to Marquez Valdes-Scantling. With no playoff win since 2016, Pittsburgh's season hinges on beating Baltimore.