However, there have always been questions about Roethlisberger’s, uh, let’s say “commitment” to offseason conditioning.

MORE: Jay Glazer criticized for how he handled Brian Allen’s coronavirus announcement

The Athletic’s Jay Glazer lent more credence to those concerns in his most recent NFL mailbag when a reader asked him if Pittsburgh could be a sleeper team this season. The reader noted the offense sputtered without Roethlisberger, who missed all but two games in 2019 following elbow surgery, and having him back to “85 percent plus fitness” could push the Steelers back into the field of legitimate contenders.

Glazer’s full response:

What Glazer fails to realize is the effort involved in completing those tasks. Consider this …

One yoga session enables Roethlisberger to achieve better focus — on finishing his next beer. It is also significantly more than zero yoga sessions. Playing golf allows Roethlisberger to participate in a physical activity and maintain proper social distancing. He’s putting your health before his own. How kind! Plus, there is a golf cart available so he can avoid twisting an ankle or knee in a divot. It’s about extending his career, folks. Drinking some beer is better than drinking all the beer. That’s a smart dieting tip from ol’ Ben.

Roethlisberger, listed at 6-5, 240 pounds on the Steelers’ official roster, told Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in March that he wasn’t worried about his weight as he continues with his rehabilitation plan. He also admitted his offseasons are normally much less strenuous, so there could be some truth to Glazer’s answer.

“I’ve heard people say I’m fat, and that just blows my mind,” Roethlisberger said. “I’m lighter and in better shape than I was in either of the past two years. I haven’t stopped working out. I normally don’t work out in the offseason, but I’ve been doing everything five days a week with my trainer. Cardio twice a week. Legs twice a week. Upper body twice a week …

“I guess it’s my beard that makes me look heavier. I must have five pounds in that, I know. But I’m not overweight.”

He doesn’t look like a Greek god, but Roethlisberger has never relied on pure athleticism in order to be effective. Let’s take this opportunity to embrace the thick boys who invite tacklers rather than evade them. 

A post shared by Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) on Aug 16, 2015 at 3:37pm PDT