Ben Roethlisberger stated it was the Pittsburgh Steelers who determined it was time to move on.
For the primary time because the 2003 NFL season, Ben Roethlisberger is not going to be enjoying quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
While the longer term first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer is at peace in his retirement, having fun with all that comes from dad life nowadays, he did point out one thing quite intriguing in his interview with Ron Cook of the Post-Gazette.
Roethlisberger stated he didn’t really feel the love from Steelers administration a season in the past, citing former Pittsburgh basic supervisor Kevin Colbert because the one who actually wanted to move on from him on the quarterback place.
“It was mostly Kevin [Colbert],” stated Roethlisberger to Ron Cook of the Post-Gazette. “He was ready to move on. I think Mike [Tomlin] was a little ready to move on, but I think he was OK with me coming back. I think Mr. [Art] Rooney really wanted me to come back last year to play. …”
While he believes he went out on his personal phrases, Roethlisberger does really feel like he can still play.
“I thought I went out on my terms. I never wanted to stay too long,” continued Roethlisberger. “I know some people might think I did. ‘You stayed last year.’ But I thought I played pretty well last year, to be honest. My arm feels like I still could go out and play. I’m pretty confident I could still play. But it’s every day. It’s mental. Not having to prepare for camp and the season has been the biggest blessing for me. I’m fine with where I’m at with everything.”
Pittsburgh chosen former Pitt star quarterback Kenny Pickett No. 20 total in what was coincidentally Colbert’s last NFL Draft accountable for the Steelers’ warfare room earlier than retiring himself.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger stated Kevin Colbert wanted him to retire
There is rather a lot to unpack right here While Roethlisberger has been supportive in welcoming Pickett and up to date free-agent acquisition quarterback Mitch Trubisky to the Steelers household, he by no means confirmed any inkling in direction of being a mentor throughout his enjoying profession, as illustrated by how issues shook out with poor Mason Rudolph. If the Steelers had been transferring off Big Ben, they wanted a clear break.
At this stage of his profession, Trubisky is the proper bridge quarterback for what the Steelers want. He is an athletic, dual-threat playmaker who can assist defensive-minded groups win video games. All the whereas, Pickett will do his greatest to strive to overtake him on the depth chart sooner or later through the season. However, Pickett was drafted excessive primarily based nearly totally on his means to play video games early.
As far as if Roethlisberger can still sling it, let’s let final yr’s outcomes be the choose. Pittsburgh was a playoff staff, however it was largely due to the play of the Steelers’ protection, quite than how effectively, or poorly, Big Ben performed quarterback. While he might have performed yet another yr with the Steelers, his drop-off was precipitous and Pittsburgh wouldn’t be a playoff staff in a deep AFC in 2022.
Furthermore, it’s fascinating how Roethlisberger positioned the blame on these within the Steelers group. He put most of it on Colbert for wanting him out. That is just becoming, as he too has sailed off into retirement. Roethlisberger talked about the way it might have gone both method with head coach Mike Tomlin. He was in all probability overstating it positively in an try to avoid wasting face right here.
And so far as proprietor Art Rooney is worried, in fact, he would need Big Ben to keep. He is arguably the best quarterback in franchise historical past. Unfortunately, Tomlin is within the enterprise of profitable video games and Colbert was within the enterprise of constructing championship-caliber rosters. Roethlisberger used to be good, however he can be detrimental to the Steelers if he was still enjoying.
Even if Big Ben still thinks he can play, the Steelers are full-steam forward with Pickett below heart.
