The release of the 2020 NFL schedule served as another opportunity for Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin to double down his support for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

The 38-year-old is coming from an injury-riddled season in 2019, but said to be ready to take on the season-opener against the New York Giants on Sept. 14:

“As we sit here today, we are extremely confident in his readiness,” said Tomlin, according to Chris Adamski of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “We are enjoying the process that he’s going through right now. Obviously, it’s not without its angst. The guy is coming off a season-ending injury and surgery. But we like where we are. He’s throwing on a rehab schedule, and it’s going well, and we fully anticipate him being ready to go for that opener.”

Article Continues Below
More Pittsburgh Steelers News
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks over his helmet during minicamp at their South Side facility.
Aaron Rodgers promises to disappear when he retires from NFLBen Strauss ·
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball against Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium.
Steelers’ Patrick Queen gets real on what’s motivating him this offseasonGuillermo Guajardo ·
Steelers re-sign DB who recorded 108 tackles in 2025 to 3-year contract
Steelers re-sign DB who recorded 108 tackles in 2025 to 3-year contractChris Spiering ·
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) puts on his helmet during minicamp at their South Side facility. Tom Arth
Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers sounds off on personal life privacy concernsBenedetto Vitale ·
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) drops back to pass during minicamp at their South Side facility.
Stephen A. Smith’s brutal Aaron Rodgers-Kevin Durant takeColin Loughran ·
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) warms up before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium.
Aaron Rodgers teases retirement plan to Pat McAfeeScotty White ·

The vibe around the Steelers (virtual) locker room is complete confidence in Big Ben's health is as good as can be to take on the regular season. Everyone from owner Art Rooney II to general manager Kevin Colbert to Tomlin feels confident in his ability to return to the gridiron after undergoing elbow surgery in the offseason.

Tomlin was confident as usual in the newly-released season schedule, claiming “I hadn't seen a schedule I didn't like.”

Roethlisberger had been working out at the team’s UPMC Rooney Sports Complex prior to the coronavirus pandemic, but the outbreak soon forced the Steelers to ban access to facilities — hence the worry about the quarterback's health.