NFL World Reacts To Ben Roethlisberger, 49ers News

© Provided by The Spun PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on from the sidelines during the third quarter in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on September 26, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Ben Roethlisberger claims he spoke to the San Francisco 49ers about a possible comeback during the 2022 season.

During a 105.9 The X radio interview with Mark Madden (h/t Steelers Now's Alan Saunders), the retired quarterback said San Francisco contacted him about returning. The 49ers lost Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo to injuries.

"They were, I think, reaching out maybe just to gauge my interest," Roethlisberger said. "I had discussions. … I’d be lying if I didn’t say there was a small part of me that was intrigued. I could still do it and prove to people that I could still play. At the end of the day, I just can’t see myself in anything other than black and gold."

Fans are a bit dubious of Roethlisberger's story.

"Why would we have wanted the rotting corpse of Big Ben?" a 49ers fan asked.

"He was done three years ago," another fan claimed.

"Breaking: Pathological liar makes statement," a fan alleged.

"I'm glad it didn't pan out," Vox Media's David Fucillo wrote.

Roethlisberger retired after concluding his 18th season with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021. He lost his propensity for big plays, averaging just 6.2 yards per pass.

Fans are skeptical that the 49ers were desperate enough to call the 40-year-old about a possible comeback. Then again, maybe they didn't realize what they had in Brock Purdy.

The final pick of last year's NFL Draft led San Francisco to the NFC Championship Game, where he injured his UCL. While the 49ers would have gladly pulled Big Ben (or any other quarterback) from the stands to finish the game after backup Josh Johnson also got hurt, it's hard to see Roethlisberger faring as well as Purdy did down the stretch.