Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger confirms contact with San Francisco 49ers in 2022, with the 41-year-old quarterback explaining why a potential commitment fell through.

“Big Ben” in San Francisco? This headline would probably only have baffled people from London in the same way as football fans from Pittsburgh.

Because that’s exactly the scenario that was being talked about, as Ben Roethlisberger confirmed in an interview on the radio station “105.9 The X”.

Quarterbacks: San Francisco 49ers with injury misfortune

The San Francisco 49ers have been plagued by injuries during the 2022 season, especially at the quarterback position. After Trey Lance (broken ankle) and Jimmy Garoppolo (broken foot) had to go to the long-term hospital, there was only one quarterback left on the roster with rookie and “Mr. Irrelevant” Brock Purdy. Even though Purdy managed sensationally afterwards, this was not foreseeable at first and the 49ers wanted to further secure themselves. So the team around general manager John Lynch contacted “Big Ben” (Roethlisberger).

Roethlisberger finished his career in 2021 and is celebrated as a legend by the fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers, as he played for the black and gold franchise without exception from 2004 until the end of his career. In 2006 and 2009, he even managed to win the Super Bowl.

Ben Roethlisberger: As Steelers legend to the San Francisco 49ers?

A possible comeback to another team would have certainly broken hearts: “I had conversations with the Niners…. I think they just wanted to test how interested I would have been in principle. I’d be lying if I said a small part of me didn’t feel an attraction. Something in me thought I’d like to prove once again that I’ve got it and can still play. But at the end of the day, I can’t see myself in any other colours than black and gold,” Roethlisberger revealed.

Roethlisberger is happy “not to feel any pain “

The 49ers then signed QB Josh Johnson to back up Purdy. But the 41-year-old Big Ben isn’t giving any further thought to an NFL comeback. “I love waking up in the morning and not having pain in my knees, shoulders or elbows. “