Big Ben Roasts the Browns Again — With That Classic Steelers Swagger
You could almost hear the sarcasm dripping from Ben Roethlisberger’s voice. “It’d be hard to fit into Cleveland… because I win.” That one-liner? Straight fire. That’s Big Ben, unfiltered, unapologetic, and very much still living rent-free in the Cleveland Browns' stadium and their fans' heads.
Roethlisberger's tongue-in-cheek comment came during a recent episode of his podcast, Footbahlin’ with Ben Roethlisberger, and boy, it hit like a vintage Steelers blitz. The conversation started innocently enough — a little chit-chat about teams, careers, and “what-ifs.” But when the Browns came up, Roethlisberger didn’t miss a beat. And why would he? If anyone has earned the right to clown on Cleveland, it's him.
Now here’s the fun part — and brace yourself if you’re a Browns fan — up until 2017, Ben Roethlisberger was literally the winningest quarterback inside the Browns’ own stadium. Yep, you read that right. He had more wins in Cleveland than any actual Browns quarterback during that time.
Let that marinate for a minute.
We’re talking about a guy who played for a division rival and still managed to rack up 12 wins on the road against the Browns — inside their home, in their house, in front of their fans. That’s not just dominance — that’s a legacy of embarrassment for a franchise that’s had more quarterbacks than seasons of The Bachelor.
Even now, in 2025, Roethlisberger is tied for second-most wins in Cleveland’s stadium history, sitting right alongside Joe Flacco. The only guy ahead of him? Baker Mayfield. But remember, Mayfield actually played for Cleveland — Ben was just an occasional visitor who happened to make himself very comfortable.
And that’s what makes Roethlisberger’s jab sting even more. This wasn’t some bitter former player taking cheap shots. This was the guy who owned your turf saying, “Nah, I could never play there… I win too much.” It’s kind of hilarious — and kind of brutal.
Of course, in classic Roethlisberger fashion, he didn’t make the entire discussion a roast. He started out diplomatic, praising the Browns as a team and even giving a respectful nod to the city of Cleveland. "They’ve got a great fan base,” he said, acknowledging the diehards who pack FirstEnergy Stadium (now rebranded, but always Cleveland to the core) rain or shine.
But when asked whether he could have ever seen himself wearing brown and orange, Big Ben took a beat and delivered the kind of one-liner that belongs on a t-shirt: "It’d be hard to fit into Cleveland, because I win."
🔥 Talk about cold-blooded. 🔥
Let’s be real: Roethlisberger didn’t just play in Cleveland — he dominated there. He made the place feel like a second home, where he casually rolled in, threw touchdowns, and rolled out with a W like he was picking up takeout. It wasn’t just consistent — it was surgical.
To fully understand the weight of this shade, you’ve got to go back and look at just how bad things were for the Browns during the Roethlisberger era. The franchise was essentially cycling through quarterbacks like Tinder matches — short-lived, disappointing, and rarely worth the hype. Meanwhile, Roethlisberger was locking in decade-long stability and two Super Bowl rings with the Steelers.
And Browns fans? Oh, they felt it. Every season, every showdown, every Roethlisberger jersey in the stands — it was a reminder of what they didn’t have: a franchise QB. And when their guy went down or underperformed, Big Ben was usually right there — towering, grinning, and hoisting another win like a mic drop.
💥 So yeah, when Ben throws a little post-retirement jab, it hits differently. 💥
There’s also an ironic layer to all of this. Ben Roethlisberger is originally from Ohio. He played college ball at Miami (Ohio). You’d think that maybe, just maybe, there would have been a little hometown love for the Browns. But no. The stars never aligned — and according to Ben, he never wanted them to.
He made it crystal clear on his podcast: while he respects the city and the fans, he doesn’t think he would’ve ever felt like a fit in Cleveland. Why? Because, as he put it so bluntly, winning just wasn’t part of the Browns’ DNA during his playing days.
That stings, but is it false?
Let’s not forget, Roethlisberger retired with a career record of 13-2-1 against the Browns. That’s not a rivalry — that’s a long-term beatdown. No wonder Cleveland was never an option for him.
And while some might call Roethlisberger’s comments “salty” or “petty,” Steelers fans would say it’s just Ben being Ben. Confident. Competitive. Maybe a little cocky. But always backed by results.
💬 “You want me to play for the Browns? That’d be like LeBron suiting up for the Celtics,” one fan joked online. “Ain’t happening.”
Roethlisberger, for his part, is enjoying retirement and the freedom of podcasting. Footbahlin’ gives him a platform to share stories, laugh at the past, and occasionally stir the pot — which, let’s be honest, is half the fun. And when the Browns are in the crosshairs, it’s hard not to tune in.
Cleveland’s got a better team now — a real playoff contender when healthy, and one with a solid roster on both sides of the ball. But the scars from the Roethlisberger era are still fresh for many fans. Every time they see him smile during one of these interviews, it brings back memories of heartbreak and helplessness.
As for Ben? He’s clearly enjoying the retirement glow-up. No more sacks. No more late hits. Just some cold ones, a mic, and the occasional jab at the Browns.
🥶 Ice-cold takes, just how he likes 'em.
So, what can we take away from all this?
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Roethlisberger has earned the right to roast Cleveland.
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His 12 wins in their stadium say more than any tweet or meme ever could.
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The Browns are still chasing the kind of legacy Roethlisberger left behind.
In the end, Big Ben’s jab wasn’t just funny — it was the cherry on top of years of dominance. And if there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s this:
Some rivalries don’t end when the cleats come off — they just move to the mic.
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