Pittsburgh Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger warming up to revamped offense

Given Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers or Peyton Manning as available options, there is not a black-and-gold clad fan out there who would want them over Ben Roethlisberger.

May 21, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) participates in organized team activities at the UPMC Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

In just nine seasons he has given the Pittsburgh Steelers three trips to the Super  Bowl and two shiny new championship rings. Like the greats of the game, he’s the No. 1 reason his team is continually in contention. But not last season.

It seemed like a mudslide from the start of the offseason. His top receiver Mike Wallace was a hold-out distraction. There was no marquee running back after the late-season injury to starter Rashard Mendenhall.

And most weighing, Roethlisberger’s buddy Bruce Arians was dumped as offensive coordinator and replaced with a demanding coach known for getting even Kurt Warner to cuss. It was an array of unnecessary distractions for the normally nonplussed Roethlisberger.

The Steelers brought in Todd Haley to incorporate an offense that would help protect their star quarterback. Roethlisberger rejected the idea that another offensive coordinator could do a better job than Arians. And Roethlisberger was most unhappy at the suggestion he needed someone to manage his style of play.

After the years of Arians’ open offense, Roethlisberger struggled in 2012 with the structure of Haley’s new system. His wide receivers did as well, and their seeming disapproval of the new system brought a black cloud of doom to the offense. As the QB, it was Roethlisberger who spoke out in the media. He referred to Haley’s offense as “dink and dunk” and was disappointed in the lack of deep plays.

So the Steelers set out in modification mode this offseason, fidgeting to make Haley’s system better fit the talents of their Pro Bowl QB. While Haley is known as combative and commanding, he has shown the ability to change the way he runs his offense, according to Warner.

In his Cardinals Super Bowl season of 2008, Warner had 600 completions for 4,583 yards, accounting for 30 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. In Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers saw firsthand how well Haley fit his scheme around the talents of Warner and star wideouts Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald.

Roethlisberger has spoken recently about exciting alterations to the offense. He discussed cooperation among the coaches and players regarding the new offensive design. Long gone was his uncomfortable selection of words last year, as he often referred to “coach Haley.”

The Steelers have a number of leaders, but none has a bigger role in 2013 than Roethlisberger. He seems energized at the challenge and ready to lead his young offense.