The Facts: Roethlisberger made an unexpected headline on Wednesday with the news that, after showing up for the first 2018 OTA session, Roethlisberger has stayed away. So why isn’t he there? Per a source with knowledge of the situation, there’s “no driving reason” for the absence. The source added that there’s “nothing new” about Roethlisberger’s approach to the Organized Team Activities.
Diehards Line:
As PFT's Mike Florio notes, Roethlisberger works out on his own and he remains in constant contact with the coaching staff, which doesn’t need him for the base installation. The source told Florio that Roethlisberger has done the same thing in past years. However, no reports surfaced of Roethlisberger being absent. Of course, Roethlisberger spoke out about running back Le'Veon Bell‘s absence from the first practice of OTA season last year. So while Big Ben was once again was present for the first day of OTAs, he hasn’t been there since. Which is apparently the norm.