First Call: Rod Woodson's weird logic on Roethlisberger vs. Bradshaw debate

Tuesday’s “First Call” takes a look at how Steelers legend Rod Woodson entered the fray regarding the recently spicy Ben Roethlisberger versus Terry Bradshaw debate.

Steelers Hall of Famer Rod Woodson appeared on FS1’s “Speak for Yourself” on Monday. He was asked if Terry Bradshaw was right when he deferred to Ben Roethlisberger as the best quarterback in Steelers history during a recent radio interview on 93.7 The Fan.

Woodson said no, Bradshaw was the best Steelers quarterback ever. Here was Woodson’s explanation.

Terry Bradshaw is the best QB in Steelers history over Ben Roethlisberger.

"I commend Terry Bradshaw for trying to pass the baton to a younger guy… But I think Terry Bradshaw is the best QB that’s ever played for the Pittsburgh Steelers." — @RodWoodson26 pic.twitter.com/eVQSL6xtRW

— Speak For Yourself (@SFY) April 13, 2020

It’s the part at the end that makes no sense to me.

Look, the passing stats are overwhelmingly in favor of “Big Ben.”

But if we are going to play the “adjust for era” game and put Bradshaw in the pass-happy 2000s instead of the run-oriented Steelers attack of the 1970s, he’s got a point.

Bradshaw was a nimble, big-armed, physically gifted quarterback in his time that easily had the skillset to play in the modern game.

Woodson could’ve simply used the same numbers that were on the graphic next to his face if he wanted to make his point: Bradshaw had one more trip to the Super Bowl and two more rings.

Honestly, if Woodson had just done that, he would’ve been fine leaving his argument there. But I have no idea what he is talking about bringing up Bradshaw’s Fox Sports career and his show in Las Vegas. What does that have to do with anything?

Frankly, I think that weakens his stance. If you have to pull in extraneous material that has nothing to do with on-field performance, it makes it look like you are trying to find a tiebreaker that doesn’t exist.

Bradshaw has a more likeable and engaging personality than Roethlisberger. No kidding. However, it’s not like Bradshaw hasn’t burned a bridge or two during his time after leaving the Steelers. We can make a pretty even argument in that regard, too, Rod.

If it’s me, I always lean toward Bradshaw because he was my first real football hero. He paved the way for players at the position in Pittsburgh and won more rings under center than anyone else during his time here.

Arguing in favor of Roethlisberger by saying that his raw numbers, two rings, and three Super Bowl trips mean just as much as Brashaw’s playoff success because they came in the free-agency era makes sense.

Bringing up off-the-field popularity as, Woodson insists, does not.