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Steelers G.M. is OK with Big Ben calling out teammates on radio

New England Patriots v Pittsburgh Steelers

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 16: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers smiles as he looks on in the fourth quarter during the game against the New England Patriots at Heinz Field on December 16, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

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During this soap opera-like offseason for the Steelers, a consistent theme has been that some players don’t appreciate the way Ben Roethlisberger will use his radio show to call teammates out publicly. But the Steelers’ front office won’t ask Roethlisberger to change.

Instead, Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert strongly backed Roethlisberger as a leader today, and told other players they ought to listen when he says what they need to do better, whether that’s on the practice field or the radio.

“Ben’s the elder statesman. If the players were smart, they’d listen to him. He’s been there,” Colbert said, via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

Even if Roethlisberger is right, it’s fair to question whether the radio is the right forum for him to tell teammates what they need to do to improve. But it’s clear that the Steelers aren’t going to ask Roethlisberger to change his ways.