Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been with the Pittsburgh Steelers since he was drafted by them in the first round in 2004. ‘Big Ben’, as he is affectionately nicknamed in the Steel City, has won two Super Bowls with the franchise.
The rumors that this could be Roethlisberger’s last year in the NFL seem to be growing. Of the class of 2004, the Pittsburgh man is the only QB still active in the league. Eli Manning retired in 2019, while Philip Rivers called an end to his career at the end of last season.
If this does prove to be Big Ben’s last year, he will be hoping to go out with success. Pittsburgh is outsiders at +10000 in the latest Superbowl odds. They do remain in contention for a playoff spot as they are 6-5 through their opening 11 games.
The Baltimore Ravens lead the way in the AFC North on 8-4 after 12 matches. Even if the Steelers do not win their division, they could still reach the postseason through the back door – if their record is good enough for a wildcard spot.
Roethlisberger has struggled for injuries over the last few years. In 2019, he played just two games after injuring his elbow in week two. Those setbacks have taken their toll on the 39-year-old, which is why he may be considering retirement at the end of the campaign.
In his nine games so far this year, the Steelers’ starting QB has thrown 13 touchdowns and has had four interceptions. He has recorded 2,259 passing yards and has a quarterback rating of 91.7.
When questioned on the rumors following his side’s 20-19 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in week 12, Roethlisberger was tight-lipped and said he would address his future at the end of the season.
Where Does Pittsburgh Go After Big Ben?
With their star QB not getting any younger, Pittsburgh is sure to have been putting plans in place as to the direction they’ll go when Roethlisberger retires. One option is Mason Rudolph. He has already played 16 times for the franchise, including in week 10 this season against the Detroit Lions.
Rudolph was drafted in the third round of the NFL Draft in 2018. He has worked with Roethlisberger since then and he knows how Mike Tomlin’s offense works. If the Steelers believe he is the future of the team, it would be a seamless transition.
Aaron Rodgers is a player who has been linked with a move to Pittsburgh next year. The two-time NFL MVP could leave the Green Bay Packers at the end of this season. It is unlikely that the Steelers would be the only team interested in his services. If they could convince him to move to Heinz Field, he could turn them into strong Super Bowl contenders.
The other option for the Steelers is to trade up in the 2022 NFL Draft to secure one of the leading quarterbacks on the board. There are likely to be lots of opportunities for trades as several teams have more than one selection in the top 10 next year.
Roethlisberger has had a fantastic career, and he is sure to be a future Hall of Famer when he becomes eligible.