Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is not happy with the current state of the franchise after their loss to the New England Patriots. Speaking on his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, he expressed concern about the struggling team and questioned whether the tradition of the Steelers is coming to an end.

The Patriots, who have had a poor season with a 3-10 record and already eliminated from playoff contention, managed to secure a 21-18 victory against the Steelers. This was largely due to a lackluster performance from Steelers quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and a defense that allowed backup quarterback Bailey Zappe to have a successful game.

Trubisky threw for only 190 yards, with one touchdown and one interception, while Zappe threw for 240 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Despite a strong fourth-quarter push, the Steelers fell short due to a shortage of timeouts, which they had already used earlier in the game.

Roethlisberger expressed his frustration with the team's lack of accountability, stating that he wanted to see players standing up and reminding their teammates about the Steelers' legacy. He mentioned the iconic players and teams from the '70s, such as the Steel Curtain, the four Super Bowl wins, and the legendary coach Chuck Noll.

During his career with the Steelers from 2004 to 2021, Roethlisberger never had a losing season. He led the team to eight AFC North titles, five AFC championship games, and two Super Bowl victories. However, since his retirement, the team has struggled, with a record of 16-14 and failing to secure a playoff berth last season.

Currently, the Steelers hold the AFC's No. 6 seed with a 7-6 record, but they face tough competition from teams like the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals, and Buffalo Bills, who also have 7-6 records. In order to secure a playoff spot, the Steelers will need to finish the season strongly against the Colts, Bengals, Seattle Seahawks, and Baltimore Ravens.

Adding to their challenges is the absence of quarterback Kenny Pickett, who is still recovering from ankle surgery. If the Steelers miss out on the playoffs once again, Roethlisberger may have more criticisms for the franchise in the near future.

Overall, the Steelers are facing a crucial period in their season, with the pressure mounting to continue their storied tradition of success. All eyes will be on the team as they navigate their remaining games and try to secure a playoff spot.