Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger denied reports that he asked to be traded in the offseason; he also defended his work ethic against claims he doesn't prepare well enough during the week for games.
NFL Network reported that "the Steelers are frustrated with Roethlisberger's unwillingness to both change his style of play and study more away from the team facility," according to ESPN. The report also indicated Roethlisberger may seek a trade in the offseason because he doesn't believe in the direction the club is going.
Roethlisberger first attacked the allegation the team wanted him to change his playing style. He said, according to ESPN, that he spoke with the Rooney family on Sunday after hearing of the report. He assured the owners the reports weren't coming from him, and he told reporters the only conversation with the Rooneys about changing his style of play pertained to him staying healthy.
Roethlisberger then took on the claim that he doesn't put in enough work each week preparing for games.
"First off, how does anybody know what I'm doing at home when I'm watching film or I'm looking through my playbook?" Roethlisberger said on WDVE-FM, via ESPN. "Unless someone's got cameras set up in my house and they're spying on me, but then they'd see the truth that I am doing that stuff."
He also shot down speculation that he wants out of Pittsburgh.
"I want to stay. My family wants to stay. I want to finish my career here, I've always said that," Roethlisberger said. "I hope that's very clear to everybody. ...
"I love this staff. I know people made a big deal about Coach [Todd] Haley and me, but I really like where our offense is going. I like the players we have, the coaches we have. I don't want to see any coach go anywhere because I like what I think could be good for us in the future."
Pittsburgh (3-6) hosts the Detroit Lions (6-3) on Sunday.
