Mike Golic Jr., Amin Elhassan and Marcellus Wiley react to Terry Bradshaw saying Ben Roethsliberger is a better QB than Tom Brady. (1:54)

Saying Big Ben is better than Brady 'not as crazy as it sounds' (1:54)

PITTSBURGH -- Ben Roethlisberger isn't giving himself the top spot in the NFL's quarterback hierarchy.

That spot belongs to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who starts the season on a four-game suspension over Deflategate.

Roethlisberger served a four-game suspension of his own in 2010 for violation of the league's personal conduct policy, but when asked what advice he'd give Brady for coping with his absence, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback said Brady "doesn't need any advice from anybody."

"Tom's the greatest in the world, and I mean that," Roethlisberger said.

Roethlisberger's comment comes on the heels of former Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw saying he'd take Big Ben "ahead of Brady for sure and anybody else."

Ben Roethlisberger has the utmost respect for Tom Brady, calling the Patriots quarterback "the greatest in the world, and I mean that." Matthew J. Lee/Getty Images

Bradshaw, a Fox NFL Sunday analyst and four-time Super Bowl champion, told Steelers.com he bases his opinion on Roethlisbergrer's ability and not his personal connection to Pittsburgh.

"He could have been the MVP in the league last year if he would have stayed healthy," Bradshaw told the team's website. "I am not saying this because I am a Steeler and trying to suck up to anybody. I am just telling you he is special, different. I'll take Roethlisberger over any of those guys."

Roethlisberger has long had a healthy respect for Brady, saying before the 2015 season opener in New England that he hoped Brady would play in the game. Although Brady's availability was in question while the legal battle over Deflategate swirled, he played for the Patriots in the 28-21 victory over the Steelers.

The Patriots and Steelers reunite in Week 7 in Pittsburgh.

In 2015, Roethlisberger led all NFL quarterbacks with 328 passing yards per game and spearheaded the offense's six-game streak of 30 or more points. As a result, the Steelers are a trendy Super Bowl pick in 2016.

Roethlisberger is more worried about beating the Washington Redskins' pass coverage on Monday Night Football.

"I'm a big fan of being the hunter and not the hunted," Roethlisberger said.