With injuries and suspensions draining offensive juice entering the season opener at New England, the Pittsburgh Steelers had a message that eased any tension in the locker room, and they delivered that message with the conviction of a chest bump celebration in the end zone.

"We have the best quarterback in the world," DeAngelo Wiliams said before that game.

And he wasn’t alone in saying it.

That’s a loaded statement, but one that feels less bold than a few years ago.

Ben Roethlisberger has done enough in recent years to merit being classified as one of the NFL's top three quarterbacks. Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire

Ben Roethlisberger makes a compelling case in the top-shelf quarterback discussion, which he can strengthen the last nine games after returning from a knee injury, starting Sunday against Cincinnati.

This is no hyperbole. Some people in NFL circles believe not only is Roethlisberger clearly the third-best quarterback, ahead of struggling Andrew Luck or an aging Peyton Manning or Drew Brees, but that he's invited to Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers' party.

ESPN informally polled nine NFL types -- including personnel executives, scouts and coordinators -- and four of those nine say, yes, Roethlisberger belongs in the group with those two. Essentially, if there’s a gap in the quarterback hierarchy, it’s Brady-Rodgers-Roethlisberger and everyone else, not just the first two.

"For some reason, people are reluctant to put him in that group," said ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, a former NFL safety and scout. "But teams are scared to death of him like they are Tom and Aaron. I would say there is no gap and you would put him right there."

The Numbers

Quarterback stats won't define a position fueled by leadership and smarts and feel for the game, but raw production can help tell the story.

Looking at the production from Rodgers, Brady and Roethlisberger since 2013 shows Roethlisberger is comparable or better in certain areas.

Roethlisberger lags behind in touchdown rate. His 1.82 passing scores per game falls below Rodgers’ 2.25 per game and Brady’s 1.94.

Rodgers is untouchable in touchdown-to-interception ratio at 70-to-13. That ratio bumps his ridiculous passer ratings ranging from 104.9 to 115.9.

Roethlisberger has the edge in completion percentage (66.35) and yards per game (289.2).

Roethlisberger’s passer ratings are rising at consistent rates, from 92.0 in 2013 to 103.3 last year to 113.1 through three games this year, when he’s averaging more than 10 yards per attempt.

Roethlisberger’s maturity as a passer coupled with his chemistry with offensive coordinator Todd Haley helped him vault quarterbacks 4-32, one personnel exec said. When it comes to Brady and Rodgers, many evaluators feel they make less mistakes than Roethlisberger.

One scout who believes Brady and Rodgers are slightly better points to production for why "[the gap] is not as wide as people think." When it comes to Brady and Rodgers, many evaluators feel they make less mistakes than Roethlisberger.

"You could definitely make a solid argument that he should be invited to that kind of party," the scout said. "Maybe just not sitting at the head table."

The Perception

All three players can command their offenses and can make every throw. They are great at the line of scrimmage, using their mind presnap to tilt the advantage.

What helps Roethlisberger's case, tight end Heath Miller says, is his ability to create positive plays "even if the play is perfect for the defense."

But it still seems Roethlisberger is fighting for inclusion based on perception. Team affiliation could have something to do with it.

Rodgers followed Brett Favre, who stylized the quarterback position in his own way. Green Bay is a quarterback hub of sorts. In New England, Brady’s fame off the field and Super Bowl pedigree took off and still hasn’t landed.

In Pittsburgh, Roethlisberger inherited a team known for defense and the running game for so long. Plus, as Riddick acknowledges, Roethlisberger, at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, looks different playing the position, which could shape perceptions.

"He’s almost like a defensive end playing quarterback," Riddick said. "But is he a franchise quarterback? Hell yes."

Roethlisberger was a winner in those early years, too, but he also had a smaller sample size to showcase his ability. From 2013-14, he averaged nearly 600 passing attempts per year. In his first five years, Roethlisberger averaged 381 passing attempts per season.

Miller says perhaps more early-career opportunities could have reshaped Roethlisberger’s perception.

The Gap

Though Roethlisberger is surging in recent years, many have a difficult time imagining quarterbacks better than Rodgers and Brady.

"Those two are on another planet," said one personnel exec.

If Roethlisberger maintains his early-season pace for the final nine games, makes the playoffs and advances, the conversation could start to shift.

For former teammate and Hall of Famer, numbers aren’t necessary with Roethlisberger. The eye test says elite.

"You knew he was special. You could see it," Jerome Bettis said. "He was limited in terms of his opportunities. It wasn’t even a question mark. When you have players like that, even if numbers don’t say it, you see it."

When asked about Roethlisberger’s best quality as a quarterback, Miller said, "He’s a winner."

The way Riddick sees it, Roethlisberger doesn’t have to win any more to seal his place.

"There’s nothing for Ben to prove," Riddick said. "Not to a single soul."