Steelers owner halts speculation on Ben Roethlisberger retirement

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II spoke with reporters Tuesday about Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement plans for next year. His message? Not so fast, my friends.

“It’s not written in stone that this is his last year,” Rooney stated via Brooke Pryor of ESPN.

Ben Roethlisberger undecided on retirement

Entering his 18th season in the NFL, the 39-year old quarterback doesn’t know what his future holds. This may seem like a lack of foresight or consideration for the Steelers, but it’s a part of how he prepares for every NFL season in his mind.

“I have never looked towards the future. I’ve always looked at the right here and now, and that’s what’s important for me for this season is giving it everything I have right here and right now for this group of guys,” stated Roethlisberger via Pryor.

Before the 2021 season, Roethlisberger signed a new deal with the Steelers and took a $5 million pay cut to help the team with their salary cap. An unselfish move, it appeared that he could be setting up for a last attempt to win it all. Rooney isn’t ruling the possibility out at least.

“We’re aware this could be Ben’s last year,” said Rooney as reported by Pryor. “We hope it’s a great one. That’s as far as we can go with it right now. Obviously, if this is his last year, then next year we’ll be making decisions on a quarterback, and we’ll address it as the time comes up.”

Finishing strong

If this is his final year, Roethlisberger is certainly looking to improve the way their season ends this time. In 2020 the Steelers started hot, the last team remaining undefeated until losing in week 13. After an 11-0 start, they closed the season at 12-4 suffering back-to-back losses to division rival Cleveland Browns in week 17 and in the playoffs.

It was a disappointing end to a season that looked like a potential championship run at one point. Roethlisberger had another great season by the end of it, adding another 3,803 yards and 33 touchdowns to his career numbers. He closed the season with a very on-brand passer rating at 94.1, right above his career average 94.0.

If it is indeed his final year, throwing for over 3,000 yards would rank him fifth all-time in passing yardage. He currently is seventh, 1,013 behind Dan Marino and 3,092 away from Philip Rivers. Roethlisberger also has 396 career passing touchdowns, currently eighth all-time with the potential to reach sixth by the season’s end if quarterback Aaron Rodgers keeps pace with him.

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