Big Ben: “I’ll take a championship over an MVP every time”

Appearing on his weekly spot on 93.7 The Fan, Ron Cook, of the Cook and Poni show, broached the subject of being an early favorite to win the NFL MVP award, to Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger:

“You are like the leading guy for MVP after 5 games… does it mean anything to you? You’ve never won that award before…”

Almost on cue, Big Ben responded to Cook’s inquiry with a team-first statement:

“I’ve been lucky enough to win two championships and that’s all that matters to me.

I’ll take a championship over an MVP every time.”

Despite starting off with one of his best seasons ever, Ben’s remarks echoed his consistent stance of putting the team ahead of the individual. He continued to praise his offensive line, receivers and backs.

Rightfully so: though the Steelers have had 7 different offensive lineman start thus far in 2016, Ben has only been sacked 9 times in 5 games, which is tied for 5th-fewest in the NFL.

In Sunday’s game against the Jets, Ben attempted 48 passes: he was only hit once.

Therefore it’s not surprising that Roethlisberger refers to his offensive line as the true MVP’s:

“Those guys knew there was a challenge, stepped up to the challenge, rose to the occasion, and once again, they’re the MVP’s of our team.”

Roethlisberger also praised and critiqued the play of Sammie Coates, who had a great day, but because of some drops, didn’t have what could’ve been a monster day.

Regardless, the pair of Antonio Brown and Sammie Coates are the NFL’s only wide receiver duo with at least 400 receiving yards each this season. It marks only the second time that a WR duo has accomplished the feat, going back to when John Stallworth and Louis Lipps did the same in 1984.

Perhaps that’s why, when asked one last time if he thought about being considered for NFL MVP this early in the season, Ben simply responded: “No I really don’t.”

Though Big Ben may not be thinking it himself, others are doing the thinking for him. Roethlisberger’s play through the first five games of the season are the best of any Steelers QB in team history. He now holds the franchise record for most touchdown passes in the first 5 games of a season with 15, and extended his own franchise record of games with 4 or more touchdown passes to 12.

Ben also holds the team record of 300-yard passing performances, with 48, and tied an NFL record, held by Peyton Manning, for most consecutive 15-touchdown seasons to begin an NFL career (13). He ranks 7th among active players with 40 career games with at least 3 touchdown passes thrown in each. Roethlisberger also has at least 3 touchdown passes in his last 6 regular home games.

But the stats don’t stop there: Ben may end up being best known as “Mr. October” on the gridiron. The Steelers QB is 20-1 as a starter in home games played in the month of October; the best mark by an NFL QB since 1970 (with a minimum of 20 starts).

Big Ben is currently 1st in the league in passing touchdowns and 3rd in passing yards, on the 6th-most attempts while leading the Steelers to a 4-1 record, which rests them atop the entire AFC.

Roethlisberger is currently on pace for 48 touchdowns this season; he’s never thrown for more than 32 in a year (2007, 2014).

Last year’s touchdown leaders? Tom Brady (36) and four others tied with 35: Eli Manning, Blake Bortles, Carson Palmer, and Cam Newton.

Those are certainly MVP caliber numbers, even if Ben’s sights are set on another Lombardi Trophy.

Steelers Nation would also prefer the latter: a seventh Super Bowl title in the trophy case… but there’s no arguing, Ben is definitely an early favorite to win Most Valuable Player.

 

You can listen to the entire Ben Roethlisberger show from 93.7 by clicking here.


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