Steelers Ben Roethlisberger & Bruce Arians Reunion Unlikely

October 19, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians watches warm ups before the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers have yet to extend Ben Roethlisbergers contract, but I think it’s safe to say where Big Ben won’t end up if the two sides can’t come to terms before the end of the 2015 season.  Arizona.

Earlier on Friday, word came from the Arizona Cardinals that the team had reached a deal with quarterback Carson Palmer.  The deal is worth $50 million a year and spans over the 2015-2017 seasons.  Palmer, since suffering a brutal knee injury during a playoff game between the Bengals and Steelers back in 2005, has been an “up and down” kind of quarterback.  He lasted in Cincy until 2011 where he went to Oakland for two seasons, then found his way to Arizona.  Palmer is enjoying one of his best seasons since that 2005 playoff run with the Bengals.  The Cards seem pretty happy with how things are going – they are experiencing one of their best seasons since their 2008 Super Bowl run.

So what does this signing have to do with Ben?  Indirectly, it could mean that a Roethlisberger and Arians may never happen.  This all goes back to last season when Big Ben trade rumors began swirling around.  Many in the blog-o and twitt-o-sphere began speculating where could Roethlisberger go.  The joke became Arizona for two reasons 1) Arians and Ben were very good friends while Arians served as offensive coordinator while in Pittsburgh.  Arians fully knows Ben’s capabilities and strengths.  2) Arizona has been known to acquire Steelers once they are released from the team- better known as “Pittsburgh West.”

Even if a trade didn’t happen, Roethlisberger still has yet to be signed an extension that would allow him to end his career in Pittsburgh.  Landing in Arizona wasn’t far from a real possibility.  Until today.  Palmer is signed through 2017, which is two full seasons after Roethlisberger’s contract is up with the Steelers.  In that time he will either have signed with Pittsburgh or with another team.  Without a doubt Ben will be locked up past 2017 no matter who he signs with.

The ship to Arizona has sailed.  The chances of an Arians/Roethlisberger is slim to none.