For Pittsburgh Steelers fans, and really, for anyone who follows American football, the name Ben Roethlisberger brings to mind years of strong play and, you know, some very big victories. His long run as the team's starting quarterback, more or less, helped shape an entire generation of the team's history. Yet, even with all that time, a lot of people still wonder about the path that brought him to Pittsburgh.

It's a fair question, too, because every great player's story usually starts with someone else having been there just before them. Who was the person under center for the Steelers right before the arrival of "Big Ben"? That's a bit of a story in itself, actually, involving a couple of different players and some interesting twists.

We're going to take a look back at the quarterback situation for the Steelers just before Roethlisberger stepped onto the field. We'll explore who was there, what their time with the team was like, and how things changed so very quickly with the 2004 NFL Draft. So, let's get into it, shall we?

Table of Contents

• Ben Roethlisberger: A Quick Look
  • Personal Details and Bio Data
• The Quarterback Situation Before Big Ben
  • Kordell Stewart: "Slash" and the Early 2000s
  • Tommy Maddox: The Immediate Predecessor
• The 2004 NFL Draft: A Turning Point
• Big Ben's Unexpected Rise
• The Legacy of a Franchise Quarterback
• People Often Ask About Big Ben's Start

Ben Roethlisberger: A Quick Look

Ben Roethlisberger, often just called "Big Ben," became a true icon for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played for the team for a very long time, from 2004 all the way through the 2021 season. During his time, he led the team to two Super Bowl wins, which is, you know, a pretty big deal for any football player.

He was known for his tough style of play, his ability to extend plays, and his strong arm. Fans, it's fair to say, really loved his knack for making big plays when they mattered most. He was, in a way, the heart of the Steelers' offense for nearly two decades.

Personal Details and Bio Data

The Quarterback Situation Before Big Ben

Before Roethlisberger arrived, the Steelers had been trying to find a consistent presence at the quarterback position for some time. They had a few different players who took snaps, each with their own story and their own challenges. It was, in some respects, a bit of a period of searching for that long-term answer.

The team had seen a mix of promising moments and also, you know, some frustrating ones. They were looking for someone who could really lead the offense for years to come. This quest, apparently, led them through a couple of interesting chapters before 2004.

Kordell Stewart: "Slash" and the Early 2000s

One of the more memorable quarterbacks for the Steelers before Big Ben was Kordell Stewart. He was, basically, a very exciting player, known for his ability to both throw the ball and run with it. People called him "Slash" because he could play quarterback, run back kicks, and even catch passes. That was, truly, quite a unique set of skills.

Stewart was drafted by the Steelers in 1995. He became the full-time starting quarterback in 1997. He led the team to the AFC Championship game that year, which was a pretty good run. He had some really strong seasons, like in 2001, when he made the Pro Bowl.

However, his time as the starter eventually came to an end. After the 2002 season, he moved on from the Steelers. His departure left a bit of a hole, and the team needed to figure out who would take over the reins. It was, you know, a moment of change for the team's offense.

Tommy Maddox: The Immediate Predecessor

After Kordell Stewart left, the Steelers turned to Tommy Maddox. Maddox's journey to becoming the Steelers' starter was, in a way, quite remarkable. He had been a first-round draft pick for the Denver Broncos way back in 1992, but his early NFL career didn't really work out as planned.

He even spent some time playing in the Arena Football League and working as an insurance agent. It's almost like a story you'd hear in a movie, you know? He got a second chance in the NFL with the Los Angeles Xtreme in the XFL, where he was the league MVP.

The Steelers signed Maddox in 2001, and he became their starter in 2002 after Stewart's struggles. He actually led the team to the playoffs that year. In 2003, he was the primary starting quarterback for the entire season. He was, for a time, the guy.

So, to directly answer the question of "Who did Ben Roethlisberger replace?", it was Tommy Maddox who was the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers at the beginning of the 2004 season. Maddox was, you know, the one who had the job when Roethlisberger was drafted.

The 2004 NFL Draft: A Turning Point

The 2004 NFL Draft is, in some respects, famous for its strong class of quarterbacks. Eli Manning was the first overall pick, and Philip Rivers went fourth. The Steelers had the 11th pick in that draft. They were, it seemed, looking for a quarterback for the future.

When their pick came up, they chose Ben Roethlisberger from Miami (Ohio) University. This decision, as a matter of fact, would change the course of the franchise for a very long time. It was a moment that, you know, really set things in motion.

At the time, the plan was for Roethlisberger to learn from Tommy Maddox. Most rookie quarterbacks, after all, don't just step right into a starting role immediately. The idea was to let him develop and get comfortable with the professional game.

Big Ben's Unexpected Rise

Life in the NFL, though, often has its own plans. Tommy Maddox started the 2004 season as the Steelers' quarterback. However, in just the second game of the season, against the Baltimore Ravens, Maddox suffered an elbow injury. It was, you know, a tough break for him.

This injury opened the door for the rookie, Ben Roethlisberger. He was suddenly thrust into the starting role much earlier than anyone had anticipated. It was, apparently, a trial by fire for the young player, but he was ready.

What happened next was, quite honestly, remarkable. Roethlisberger led the Steelers on an incredible winning streak. They won 13 straight games after he took over as the starter. He showed a maturity and skill that was, very, very rare for a rookie.

That season, he finished with a 13-0 record as a starter, which is still an NFL record for a rookie quarterback. He helped the Steelers reach the AFC Championship game that year. It was clear, pretty much from the start, that they had found their guy.

The Legacy of a Franchise Quarterback

From that unexpected start, Ben Roethlisberger went on to have a truly storied career with the Steelers. He became, you know, one of the most successful quarterbacks in team history. His ability to win games, especially close ones, was legendary.

He played with a toughness that, arguably, defined his time in Pittsburgh. He led the team to Super Bowl victories in the 2005 and 2008 seasons, bringing two more Lombardi Trophies to the city. He played for 18 seasons, which is, truly, a very long time in professional football.

So, while Tommy Maddox was the one who was holding the position when Ben Roethlisberger arrived, it was Maddox's injury that really gave Big Ben his chance. And, you know, he certainly made the most of it, carving out a place as one of the game's greats. To learn more about on our site, and for more details on the Steelers' rich history, you can also check out this page . For official NFL stats and records, you might want to visit NFL.com.

People Often Ask About Big Ben's Start

When folks talk about Ben Roethlisberger's early days, a few questions tend to come up, you know, quite often. Here are some of the common ones:

Who was the Steelers starting QB before Ben Roethlisberger?

The starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers right before Ben Roethlisberger took over was Tommy Maddox. He was the team's primary starter in 2002 and 2003, and he began the 2004 season as the starter, too.

How long did Tommy Maddox play for the Steelers?

Tommy Maddox played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2001 to 2005. He was their main starting quarterback for the 2002 and 2003 seasons. After Roethlisberger's rise, Maddox served as his backup for a bit.

What year did Ben Roethlisberger get drafted?

Ben Roethlisberger was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He was the 11th overall pick that year, in a draft class that was, you know, quite strong for quarterbacks.