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“He’s Yelling at Me”: Bill Cowher Recalls Ugly Confrontation With Former Steelers QB After Drafting Ben Roethlisberger

Bill Cowher’s decision to select Ben Roethlisberger with the No. 11 pick in the 2004 NFL Draft changed the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback picture. However, the move was not welcomed by then-starting quarterback Tommy Maddox, who made sure to let Bill…

By Ishani Jayara · Essentially Sports

Published: Friday, 6 November 2026 at 2:32 AM

Key Things to Know

Bill Cowher recalled a 20-minute confrontation with Tommy Maddox after the Steelers drafted quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in 2004.
Cowher told Maddox that reacting poorly to Roethlisberger's arrival made him question if Maddox could handle starting pressure.
Maddox had expected Pittsburgh to select an offensive tackle rather than a quarterback in the draft.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher revealed on the Coach2Coach podcast that former starting quarterback Tommy Maddox confronted him angrily after the team drafted Ben Roethlisberger in 2004. Maddox, who believed the team would draft an offensive tackle, yelled at Cowher in his office for roughly 20 minutes following the first-round selection.

Cowher recalled telling Maddox that his reaction signaled he might not be equipped to handle the pressure of being the starter. Although Maddox opened the 2004 season as the starter, an elbow injury in Week 2 elevated Roethlisberger, who remained the starter and led the franchise to two Super Bowl victories.

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