The Steelers Need to Call Big Ben’s Bluff About Retiring

Posted By on January 26, 2017

By John Sarianides

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hinted in a radio interview on Tuesday that he is unsure of what his plans are regarding playing football next season. Roethlisberger did not get into specifics but sources close to the signal caller claim that he is indeed contemplating retirement.

I don’t buy it. There is no way Roethlisberger would walk away from$64 million dollars over the next three seasons. He is obviously frustrated with the way the Steelers season ended and he reportedly has an issue with the way the Steelers practice.

Roethlisberger is an emotional guy and he wears his heart on his sleeve. He probably figures that if he dangled the word retirement out there, he would get the Steelers attention and maybe some things will change. It is not exactly a clever ploy on his part.

Roethlisberger is also a diva and he figures that if he puts it out there that he might not come back next season, the Steelers will have to react to save face with their fan base. I give Steelers Mike Tomlin credit. He didn’t overreact to the news. He simply said that Roethlisberger was an important part of what the Steelers do and that the organization will need to address the quarterback position this off-season.

If I were the Steelers front office and Tomlin, I would call Ben’s bluff and put it on him. Put him in a position where he makes a decision sooner than later. Sure, the Steelers need Roethlisberger next season or they’ll go from contender to middle of the pack in a hurry but if I were the Steelers, I would call Roethlisberger to the carpet and see what he does.

Either way you look at it, the Steelers need to acquire their quarterback of the future this off-season. Whether it is in free agency, a trade or the draft, they need to bring in a young quarterback that could potentially take the ruins if Big Ben walks.

For what it’s worth, I don’t see Roethlisberger retiring. He is owed too much money and he still has some football left in him despite his injury history. He will come back. If he doesn’t, I would be shocked.