PATRICK MAHOMES’ trainer has fired back at Ben Roethlisberger after the NFL legend claimed that Aaron Rodgers was a better quarterback than the Kansas City Chiefs star.
Roethlisberger, 43, left Bobby Stroupe incensed when he delivered a withering put-down of his client Mahomes, 29.
Patrick Mahomes’ trainer fired back at claims that Aaron Rodgers is better than his client[/caption]
Two-time Super Bowl winner Roethlisberger was left thrilled by the fact that his former side, the Pittsburgh Steelers, have completed a one-year deal worth over $13m to sign Rodgers, 41, as their new QB.
The NFL’s current best in that position is widely considered to be Chiefs hero Mahomes.
But that didn’t stop Roethlisberger from proclaiming that he would rather have Rodgers by his side if given the choice.
Roethlisberger, who retired in 2022, said: “I would take Aaron and his prime over Patrick now.
“I think Rodgers at his prime was one of the top few to ever do it, and so is Mahomes at his prime.
“Mahomes is just entering out of his prime. I think Aaron Rodgers.”
Roethlisberger’s comments went down like a lead balloon with Mahomes’ trainer Stroupe though.
He went on social media to fire back at Roethlisberger, taking aim at the ace’s own fitness levels – while Mahomes continues to go strong ahead of his 30th birthday in September.
Stroupe said: “Not everybody quits working out at 30 years old, Ben.”
It’s not the first time Stroupe has defended Mahomes’ fitness.
Speaking last year, he said: “I’ll be the first to tell you that I think an NFL quarterback should have at least 14 per cent body fat.
“It’s not from an unhealthy standpoint but from a force absorption standpoint. You have to be able to take contact.
“We know there’s just not a lot of quarterbacks in the Hall of Fame that have a six pack, and there’s a reason for that.
“We’ve got to find that fine line of performance and health. And the aesthetic part is a different conversation.
“I don’t need him to look like a model because the way he chooses to play requires a certain type of physicality, and that physicality needs more body fat.
“That is a core belief that I do have for him.”
