Retired and Canton-bound quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said Tuesday that the San Francisco 49ers reached out to him last season to "gauge" his interest in returning to the field.
Roethlisberger, 41, made the comments during an interview on 105.9 The X in Pittsburgh.
The 49ers were riddled with injuries to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo before riding Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy to the NFC Championship Game, where he, too, was injured.
"They were, I think, reaching out maybe just to gauge my interest," Roethlisberger told the station. "I had discussions. ... I'd be lying if I didn't say there was a small part of me that was intrigued.