LATROBE, Pa. -- Ben Roethlisberger knew the question was coming. It is, after all, the biggest, gloomiest cloud hanging over the Steelers offense in 2019: How will they perform without Antonio Brown?
The team also lost Le'Veon Bell this offseason to the Jets, but they saw the production James Conner brings to the table last year, rushing for 973 yards and 12 touchdowns and adding another 497 yards through the air in just 12 starts. That's not as much of a worry.
But Brown?
Brown is a Hall-of-Fame-caliber player. He's a perennial All-Pro. Last year, in a down year, he caught 104 passes for 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns in 15 games. It was his sixth consecutive season catching at least 100 passes, breaking his own NFL record. So despite the Steelers bringing in free agent Donte Moncrief, drafting Diontae Johnson and expecting improvements from JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, Eli Rogers and Ryan Switzer, Brown's absence on the field is undeniable.
Roethlisberger wasn't about to dispute that Friday at Saint Vincent College.
“It’ll be different," Roethlisberger was saying. "I think the things we did together were some things no one’s really ever done. [Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison] maybe, [but] just in the last few years we did it, it was pretty special. So it’s going to be hard to make up for that. But I’m going to do my best to still bring my ‘A’ game, and I know we got other guys on this team that are ready to step up and bring everything they can to the table.”
While much of the focus rests upon which receiver will step up and stand out from the pack as the No. 2 behind Smith-Schuster, Roethlisberger thinks moving onward and upward in 2019 begins with someone else.
"I think I have to play better," Roethlisberger said. "I always start with myself. It starts with me because I have the ball in my hands. I need to make sure that I distribute the ball to guys and make sure that I don’t turn the ball over. I know the rest of the guys are excited about what they bring to the table. I’m excited about guys from tight ends to running backs to receivers. Obviously, the line is who they are, pretty special. It’s kind of to-be-determined. I think that’s the fun part. There’s still a little mystery out there.”
Last season, it was actually Smith-Schuster who led the Steelers in both receptions (111) and yards (1,426). Now, Smith-Schuster will need to not only replicate — or come close — to his own stats, but he'll also need to establish himself as a leader on and off the field.
Roethlisberger says that development is well underway.
“I think JuJu’s still... he’s himself," Roethlisberger said. "And that’s what makes him special. He’s still fun and fun-loving and silly at times. But I have seen him, and because this is his third year, you see some growth and maturity and you see him kind of accepting that leadership role, especially in that room.”
Now, it's all about getting on the field in Latrobe, Pa., and making plays. The Steelers missed the postseason by a half-game last season, going 9-6-1, and it's not something Roethlisberger can easily forget.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to win," Roethlisberger said. "I spoke to the offense last night about that. I don’t care, I’m the type of guy ... you guys that have been around me and the guys on this field that have been around me know that I’d rather throw for five yards and win than 500 and lose. I’ll just take a win, so whatever we need to do to win football games, make the playoffs and try to win a Super Bowl, that’s what I’m up for ...
“I think that’s what we have to do. We missed the playoffs last year, so we need to get back there. We need to be better, and it starts with playing football."
And on that front — playing football — Roethlisberger says he's never been more ready. The 2019 season is here and even now, entering his 16th year, there's a particular buzz surrounding it all. Asked if he still feels the jolt of competition and camp, Roethlisberger replied:
"Probably more so. I was talking to my wife last night and talking to a couple of the coaches before I came, just kind of getting ready for it. I’m excited for this year. I’m not really sure why yet, other than I’m just excited to be around the guys.”
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