The teacher was back in class Wednesday for the Steelers' penultimate OTA session, marking the first time Ben Roethlisberger had been in attendance at one of these optional practices in over two weeks.
But, as Roethlisberger noted, there was reasoning behind his absence.
"I think it was an awesome opportunity for those guys to get reps," Roethlisberger said Wednesday. "They were thanking me for it."
"Those guys" to whom Roethlisberger referred were quarterbacks Landry Jones, Mason Rudolph and Josh Dobbs, who will be battling for spots behind Roethlisberger when training camp begins June 25.
With Roethlisberger MIA the past two weeks, Jones stepped into the leadership role expected of the top backup. And Rudolph, a rookie third-round draft pick, and Dobbs, a fourth-round pick last year, got plenty of snaps to allow them the opportunity to put their best foot forward, as well.
And that was basically the idea behind players such as Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown not being around for these sessions.
"If coach (Mike Tomlin) had asked me to be here every day, I'd be here every day," Roethlisberger said. "I've worked with Randy (Fichtner) for eight years now, so it's not like that work is necessary. We've got a lot of guys back on offense and a lot of this stuff is plays that we've been doing for a long time."
Despite the fact Fichtner takes over for Todd Haley as the new offensive coordinator, Roethlisberger said the playbook is largely staying the same — though Fichtner will put his own touches on it.
That will be the key for Roethlisberger, who is expected to take more ownership of the offense than he did under Haley.
"I don't foresee much change. A lot of it will be the same in terms of our relationship. I think he's a really hard worker and a guy that a lot of people really respect," Roethlisberger said of Fichtner, the team's longtime receivers and quarterbacks coach.
"I know he does his homework and I know he understands the game. We're not calling plays out here. Everything is scripted. It comes down to trust and we've communicated in the past in a game-to-game, series-to-series basis. Our communication has always been really good and that kind of translates into play-calling, I think."