PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox isn't disappointed that rookie Ben Roethlisberger took advantage of Maddox's long injury absence to seize the starting job from him.

"I don't sweat it too much," Maddox said Wednesday. "I know things happen for a reason and we'll figure out what that reason is. I'll just go out there and do my job, work as hard as I can and try to help this team win any way I can."

Coach Bill Cowher made official Tuesday what has been a given for weeks: Roethlisberger will remain the starter even after Maddox is healthy enough to play. Maddox is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Philadelphia.

The Steelers planned to start Maddox and bring Roethlisberger along slowly this season. But after Maddox tore an elbow tendon Sept. 19 in Baltimore, Roethlisberger stepped in to lead the Steelers (6-1) to five consecutive victories as a starter.

Roethlisberger has played so well - he is fourth in the league in passer rating - that Cowboys coach Bill Parcells called him the most impressive rookie QB he has seen since Miami's Dan Marino in 1983. Marino also said Roethlisberger reminds him of himself.

Maddox hadn't started an NFL game in 10 seasons before replacing a slumping Kordell Stewart early in the 2002 season, but was voted the NFL Comeback Player of the Year after leading Pittsburgh to a 10-5-1 record and the second round of the playoffs.

But the Steelers fell to 6-10 last year amid season-long problems with the running game and an oft-injured offensive line that forced them to rely mostly on Maddox's throwing to move the ball.

This season, the Steelers' line has remained intact since guard Kendall Simmons was hurt during training camp and a Duce Staley-fortified running game has improved from the league's second worst to its fourth best.

"Well, that's the way it works," Maddox said. "But I, by no means, think my career is winding down. I'm a young 33 years old and I feel I've got a lot of football left in front of me."

Roethlisberger has repeatedly praised Maddox for his steadying influence and ongoing help. The two can be seen huddling frequently during games.

"Tommy's been great," Roethlisberger said Wednesday. "He's the first guy I look for when I come off the field to help me out. He's been out there and he knows what's going on. I'm sure he'll keep helping me out and I'm looking forward to him helping me out."

Maddox is signed through 2007 to a contract that pays him like a starter when he plays and like a backup when he doesn't. His base salary is $750,000 this season and next, $1 million in 2006 and $1.3 million in 2007. Numerous incentives boost the contract any season he plays, and he also got a $2 million signing bonus this year.