Roethlisberger denies lobbying Steelers to draft tight end
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger denied lobbying head coach Mike Tomlin to select a tight end in the upcoming NFL draft.
NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala reported Tuesday that the five-time Pro Bowler was seeking help, particularly as it pertained to the tight end position.
Roethlisberger provided a statement to Pro Football Talk, denying the veracity of the report Wednesday:
The report of me lobbying to draft a tight end or pass catcher is wrong. Coaches and teammates know I love the guys we have and always believe we can win. I trust the organization to do their best selecting players to help us, and and every year they tell me generally the positions they are exploring, but I have not lobbied or demanded we add a tight end or pass catcher or any other position through the draft or free agency.
Jesse James and Ladarius Green operated as the Steelers' tight ends last year. James caught 39 passes for 338 yards and three touchdowns, while Green added 18 catches for 304 yards and a touchdown.
The Steelers haven't drafted a tight end in the first round since selecting Heath Miller 30th overall in 2005. Miller retired in February 2016.