Legendary Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has defended Russell Wilson’s decision not to slide after he fumbled the ball and cost his team a touchdown in their loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

In the second-quarter of last weekend’s divisional rival game with the Ravens, Wilson scrambled for a huge gain and looked to make defensive back Ar’Darius Washington miss in the open field. However, the cornerback read Wilson’s intentions and laid a big hit on the veteran quarterback, causing a fumble which Baltimore recovered.

The decision not to slide was lambasted by fans on social media, with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin looking furious with his quarterback’s decision. But despite the costly mistake, Roethlisberger has explained why he wasn’t upset with Wilson for the play.

Speaking on his podcast, Roethlisberger said: “I feel like if he would’ve slid and we would’ve went back and watched it, fans would’ve been like, why’d he slide? Why didn’t he try and make a play?

“I don’t care if he’s 35, 36, 37… or however old Russ is, Russ is an athlete. When you watch that end zone view and you see him running, there’s one guy coming from the center of the field. There’s no reason that Russ shouldn’t have beat that guy. I think I would’ve been made if I would’ve watched him slide and then saw the sky view. I would have wanted him to go get in the end zone.”

Wilson fumbled at the five yard line after being tackled in the open field

Wilson fumbled at the five yard line after being tackled in the open field ( 

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Getty Images)

Roethlisberger was critical of the Steelers decision to start Wilson ahead of Justin Fields, who led the team to a 4-2 start before he became available with the head coach making the move. Fields has been benched since then, back in week six, while being used situationally at times during packages in which Pittsburgh look to use the quarterback’s athleticism.

But the young quarterback has himself been hampered with injuries in recent weeks. He has been seen throwing and using his legs in practice this week, with Tomlin potentially to call upon him in areas of the field after being frustrated with Wilson’s fumble.