Since Week 13 of the 2020 NFL season, nothing has gone according to plan for the Pittsburgh Steelers. A year ago, the football world was abuzz thanks to the Steelers starting 11-0, led by the battle-tested Ben Roethlisberger.
Just a year later, Big Ben may be thinking of calling it quits after an 18-year playing career that includes two Super Bowl wins and six Pro Bowl nods.
Or at least that’s what the 2004 Offensive Rookie of the Year has begun privately telling some former teammates and current members of the Steelers’ organization according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Roethlisberger reportedly has his eyes on retiring at the end of the 2021 football season.
With the Steelers in a tie for last place in the AFC North at 5-5-1 and with Roethlisberger dealing with a mountain of injuries, which have become the norm for him in recent seasons, retirement is likely the best course of action for the Steelers’ great.
Not to mention his statistical decline over the past three seasons after leading the NFL in attempts and completions in 2018. At 39-years old, it’s safe to say, it’s probably time to hang up the cleats for the former 11th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft.
For Roethlisberger, his retirement would be the conclusion of an accomplished career that should earn him a place in Canton, Ohio someday in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, where the busts talk to each other, according to John Madden.
With their season fading and Roethlisberger on his last legs, all eyes will be on Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation with an eye toward who will take over as Mike Tomlin’s next QB on the Steelers. Tomlin has never led the Steelers to fewer than eight victories since taking over in 2007. On the bright side, they should be in good position to select a possible Big Ben replacement in April’s draft.
