It was a question that had to be asked after Sunday’s awful 45-42 loss to the Jaguars at Heinz Field by the Steelers, that being the future of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
The quarterback set franchise records for yards and touchdowns in the playoff loss, but in the end everyone wanted to know what about the future, even more so after he threw around the idea last season that he was thinking about retiring after the AFC Title game loss to the New England Patriots.
After the game, amid all the disappointment and sadness over another failure of a season, Ben made it official – he will be back for a 15th season with the franchise.
Ben Roethlisberger: "I plan on coming back next year.'"
— Ron Cook (@RonCookPG) January 14, 2018
Of course he could change his mind in a moment, but again it looks like with the way that this season ended, and as well as the QB was throwing, he will be back for another hopeful Super Bowl run in 2018.
Pro Football Talk seemed to know that Ben wouldn’t walk away, as he’s got a great thing going with the Steelers, and if the team can get back Le’Veon Bell with a long term deal, this team should be right back to 12-13 wins next season.
Last year, he apparently didn’t come close to calling it quits. As one league source told PFT during the regular season, Roethsliberger’s contemplations didn’t get to the point that he even inquired as to what he would have owed the team if he’d retired prematurely.
It would have been $18.6 million last year, it will be $12.4 million this year, assuming the Steelers would insist on recovering the money he already has been paid for future performance. (There’s no reason to think they wouldn’t.)
If/when (when, most likely) he returns, Roethlisberger may have a new offensive coordinator. Todd Haley’s contract is expiring; the last time that happened with a Pittsburgh offensive coordinator, the team “retired” Bruce Arians.
Now that Bruce Arians is “retired” again, maybe Ben tries to make a power play to get his close friend to come back. The chances of that happening, hover, are slimmer than the chances of Roethlisberger retiring.
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shdoiqhfd
January 14, 2018 at 7:39 pm
Muh…who cares…he’ll retire
Dave B.
January 15, 2018 at 11:00 am
I posted my final article on this site back in early December , but with the way The Steelers season ended yesterday ,I felt the need to post one last article . Rather than rant and rave and scream to the heavens on facts we already know , I’ll simply say this . Its now time for change in the Steel City . The Mike Tomlin leash has gone as far as it can go and its now beginning to literally choke the life out of the Pittsburgh Steelers . Its time for Art Rooney to get involved . He has to . Joe Starkey , long time columnist on the Pittsburgh Post Gazette posted a great article on this last night . He needs to tell Tomlin , this is not open to debate , so pay close attention . 1 – Todd Haley is gone , period . He has no rapport with Ben and its obvious these two simply dont agree on game plans . In addition , the idiotic calls of calling passing plays when you should be quarterback sneaking when you only need a yard is a perfect example . You have a 300lb. center and a 260lb. quarterback and you cant run a sneak for one yard ? Lastly , running Bell on almost every offensive down when you have a future Hall of Fame receiver to throw to is inexcusable . Enough said on that . 2- Keith Butler is gone , along with linebacker coach Joey Porter . The Steelers defense has regressed to the point , that it doesnt even look like an NFL caliber defense . In two games against the Jaguars , the Steelers gave up 75 points and Leonard Fournette rushed for nearly 300 yards against the Steeler defense . In a word , inexcusable . Granted , losing Ryan Shazier , is not Butlers fault and there was no way to predict that injury . However , when you have players such as Cameron Heyward , Stephon Tuitt , T.J. Watt and veteran corner Joe Haden there is way to much talent to be producing these types of results . Lastly , what has happened to Bud Dupree ? That falls directly on Joey Porter whose job it is , to develop these young linebackers who just happened to be a number one pick . Finally , at the end of the meeting , Art Rooney needs to make it crystal clear to Tomlin . These changes will be made and its not open to debate . Ill give you one year to get this team back to where it should already be . If this doesnt correct the problem in one year , the next change will be the head coach . It thats simple . Our window is closing fast and Im paying you to get this team back to where it should be . Its up to you .
Jay
January 15, 2018 at 12:44 pm
Now, mark how come the powers that be DONT actually do something about it! I been calling for Tomlin head for years now. I agree. And tunch and wolf are yukking it up on SNR. Wow. Does it really need to happen that season ticket holders start or stop buying tickets?! That’ll never happen because there too many rich people that but them and then turn it over on stub hub. The Rooney’s NEED to get their fingers on the pulse of fans who see the obvious: it’s not just the results (although I did post on Twitter a comprehensive list of ALL the subpar QBs Tomlin has lost during his tenure); it’s ALSO the seeming overall collective bravado mindset that seems to pervade the licker room: a lot of me guys predicting this or that, issuing bulletin board material, laissez faire attitude….I know the players play for him which is conceivably the ONLY reason he keeps his job but at what point does that line of players playing for you get blurred into a type of fraternal, do whatever you want saywgayevef you want unaccountable mindset? It has already become that and it ain’t changing as long as he the coach because ITS WHO HE IS!!! He’s a homey not a head coach…a compadre not a mentor and a peer not a teacher.
Jay
January 15, 2018 at 1:45 pm
*Say whatever you want