Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is still a leader for the team outside of his playing days.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were able to punch their ticket to the postseason, thanks to a missed game-winning field goal by Baltimore Ravens rookie kicker Tyler Loop in Week 18. However, it was almost Steelers kicker Chris Boswell who costed them the game.
After quarterback Aaron Rodgers connected with wide receiver Calvin Austin III for a touchdown to take a 26-24 lead, Boswell missed the extra point, giving the Ravens an opportunity to kick a game-winning field goal.
Luckily, that isn't how things played out, but there's no doubt Boswell, who has been one of Pittsburgh's most consistent players, was down on himself.
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell after missing an extra point in a game against the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 4, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
However, former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger knows he couldn't let his former teammate keep feeling that way with a chance to make some noise in the playoffs.
"I know he's going through some stuff right now," Roethlisberger said on the latest episode of Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger. "I talked to him after the game and just encouraged him and gave him — tried to give him some upbeat advice on just staying confident because I know right now it can be hard and he could lose some confidence right now. But, just encouraging him and at some point, they're going to need him and, you know, just to keep doing his thing."
Teams must be mentally tough in the postseason since many games typically turn out to be one-score affairs, and Roethlisberger knows that a Steelers win may just have to come off the foot of Boswell.
If that is the case and Boswell can put his latest miss behind him, Roethlisberger may just be due some credit for still helping his team past his playing days.
The Steelers are scheduled to host the red-hot Houston Texans first in the wild card round of the playoffs on Monday Night Football.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Big Ben is Helping Steelers Stay Confident Heading into Playoffs
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