Chemistry matters. With quarterbacks and wide receivers, that is even more the case. If a signal-caller doesn't trust his pass catcher, a passing offense can stagnate. With Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, that couldn't be truer. He has declared his trust or distrust of a receiver; it then shows on the field. With Antonio Brown gone, he may have found a newly trustworthy option: Eli Rogers.
According to CBS Sports NFL insider Jason La Canfora, Big Ben and Rogers are connecting in training camp.
But don't forget about holdover Eli Rogers. Entering his fifth year with the team, he has been inconsistent and a bit part of the offense, but Roethlisberger loves him and trusts him, everyone around here tells me, and he could become a key contributor in the slot. “I think we'll see a different Eli this year than we did last year,” [Kevin] Colbert said, with Rogers now far removed from an ACL tear.
Other wide receivers in contention to gain Roethlisberger's trust, outside of JuJu Smith-Schuster, include second-year James Washington, third-year slot ace Nick Switzer, veteran Donte Moncrief, and rookie speedster Dionte Johnson. Rogers, though, is the most experienced Steeler receiver on the roster; 2019 marks his fifth in Pittsburgh. In his first year with the team, he excelled, tallying 48 receptions for 594 yards and three touchdowns. Since then, he has been buried in a deep depth chart and has struggled with injuries.
Roethlisberger's mind matters when building the Steelers' offense. Expect Rogers to have a big year in 2019, barring an injury.
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