Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t participate in social media. For his sake, let’s hope he doesn’t watch television, listen to sports talk radio, or (God forbid) Google his name, especially anytime from early December to now.

There aren’t many pleasantries to be found on the world wide web about the 39-year-old quarterback whose team limped to the finish line a year ago. Critics say his body has failed him, his right arm can’t make big throws down the field, he is unwilling to change his style of play for new offensive coordinator Matt Canada and his $14 million salary is a waste of money for the Steelers.

And those are just the run-of-the-mill criticisms of Roethlisberger out there floating around.

One national article listed Roethlisberger, fresh off a 33 touchdowns/10 interception/3,803-yard/12-win season, as a Tier 6 quarterback in the league. The “good luck” group included Sam Darnold, Andy Dalton, Daniel Jones and Roethlisberger. Three of those quarterbacks have a combined zero playoff wins. The other has 13.

With organized team activities kicking off Tuesday at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Roethlisberger was in attendance — an 18-year veteran participating in a voluntary practice — slinging the ball all over the field and looking strong at doing it (even the deep pass). He hardly resembled a Tier 6 quarterback who has been in a free fall for years.

Instead, he looked like a quarterback with a strong arm and a positive attitude who will do whatever it takes (yes, getting under center) to get that elusive third Super Bowl ring, which would put him in the same category as Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana, Tom Brady and Troy Aikman as the only quarterbacks with at least three rings.

Instead, he’s been compared to some of the worst quarterbacks in the league and is blamed for all that is wrong with the 2021 Steelers.

Defensive captain and 11-year vet Cam Heyward, ever active on social media, has seen, heard and read what has been said about Roethlisberger and it has been baffling to him.

“When I hear the bad-mouthing about him not being a great quarterback and everybody wants to elevate other quarterbacks, what have they done?” Heyward said. “This guy is a proven winner, but we are ready to discount him? Man, I think we are just blowing it out of proportion. The dude went 11-0 to start the season last year. How many other quarterbacks did that?”

Ben Roethlisberger at OTAs pic.twitter.com/CnBgkmHg7i

— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) May 25, 2021

But it is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league, and Roethlisberger’s stretch run wasn’t good.

Now, it wasn’t nearly as bad as revisionist historians want you to believe, but a poor showing compounded by more than a half-dozen drops in Buffalo followed by an all-time stinker against the Bengals and an unproductive first half in Week 16 game against the Colts have fed into the narrative that Roethlisberger is done.

It didn’t help with what transpired in the first half of the playoff game two weeks later against the Browns, despite 500 yards passing.

Understandably, serious questions surround Roethlisberger. And there have been a lot of changes to the offense he leads. A new system/offensive coordinator won’t feature 500 passes. A revamped offensive line/running game should take some pressure away. And he will be almost two years removed from elbow surgery when the Steelers begin their season in September in Buffalo.

The Steelers re-signed JuJu Smith-Schuster, drafted Najee Harris and Pat Friermuth to pair with an already good group of skill players.

Roethlisberger has yet been made available to the media since the playoff loss nearly five months ago and likely won’t say much about the perception of him when he eventually talks over the next few weeks.

Heyward was fine picking up the slack.

“Having a great balance is going to make him that much more dangerous” Heyward said. “I know our offensive line is in flux, but they are going to be better because they are learning a different system. We bring in another running back. Our receivers are a year older. We bring in another tight end. All of these different things can help Ben and I am excited for him.”

Shortly after the Browns eliminated the Steelers in the playoffs, Roethlisberger told the organization that he wanted to return in 2021. He took a $5 million pay cut to do that. He usually takes a couple of months to process the situation, but not this time.

“I am not here to say that my quarterback is not able to do it,” Heyward said. “I’ve seen this guy win Super Bowls on TV and see in day in and day out and you just get frustrated because I know Ben puts in work and I know how much he cares about this team. If he didn’t want to do it and if he was just here for the money, that’s one thing. I don’t think we ever have to worry about that. When he steps into this building, he is 100 percent dedicated.”

And motivated.

Even though Roethlisberger is quick to point out he doesn’t hear the outside noise, it’s impossible to block out. Three years ago when Antonio Brown unleashed an offseason barrage on his former quarterback that was parrotted throughout the summer and spring by many outlets, Roethlisberger admitted “I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bother us at times.”

Roethlisberger has been driven by criticism his entire career. He thrives in trying to prove people wrong, and this year will surely be the same.

He’s driven to avenge the end of his 2020 season. He’s driven to get another Super Bowl ring. He’s driven to prove the naysayers wrong.

He’ll need help — now more than at any point in his career — from the coaching staff, the schemes and his teammates. If he’s willing to accept that, then why not another division title and beyond?

“Down the stretch, he didn’t play as well, but we didn’t play as well around him,” general manager Kevin Colbert said a few months back. “Can he still do some special things? Absolutely.”

There is no reason he can’t do special things again this year despite what the masses say or believe.

(Photo: Courtesy of Caitlyn Epps / Pittsburgh Steelers)