Pittsburgh Steelers 2014: Pro Bowl Prospects

Dec 29, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws a pass against the Cleveland Browns in the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 20-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

4. Ben Roethlisberger

The Steelers quarterback and two-time Pro Bowler put up some of his best numbers of his career in 2013.  Yet, Philip Rivers and Andrew Luck were among some of the QB’s selected over the tw0-time Super Bowl winner.  Big Ben has always and probably will forever be wrapped up in the ‘elite’ quarterback debate.  Whether it’s his style of play, his ‘blackened’ off the field record, or fact that he isn’t ‘flashy’ like some of the other QB’s in the league, Ben sometimes fall on the wrong side of the fence in the Best of the Best discussion.  2014 will be different.  Roethlisberger and offensive coordinator Todd Haley are beginning to work well together in the sense that Haley (and Tomlin) is allowing Ben to run the no-huddle more often.  Steelers camp stated numerous times this offseason that it will become more of a focus for this offense over the course of the upcoming season.  That will bode well for Roethlisberger’s numbers and, even more importantly, results.  This offense has the potential to put up some big numbers, and Big Ben will lead the way.  The success of the Steelers goes through Roethlisberger.  If he does really well, this team does really well.  This team could easily find themselves sitting at 11-5 if everyone can get out of the way and let Ben be Ben.  If that happens, he will not only have the stats, but also a playoff win or two to put him back in the conversation of not only a Pro Bowl player but as a true elite QB as well.

Status: Pro Bowl bound