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Will Ben Roethlisberger take a step forward or back in 2019?

By Tommy Jaggi

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 17: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks off the field after throwing an interception in the fourth quarter during the game against the New England Patriots at Heinz Field on December 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 17: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks off the field after throwing an interception in the fourth quarter during the game against the New England Patriots at Heinz Field on December 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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There are a lot of mixed opinions about how Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, might perform in 2019. The veteran QB is entering his 16th season at at the age of 37, and will be without one of the league’s premier receivers in Antonio Brown.

However, even with all of these factors stacked against him, is Ben guaranteed to take a step backwards this year?

Let’s breakdown the scenarios where Ben Roethlisberger digresses or improves in 2019:

How Ben Roethlisberger could digress

Ben Roethlisberger may have more interceptions than any quarterback in the league over the past four years (59), but that doesn’t mean he is automatically going to stop any time soon.

Ben’s decision making has been lacking as of late. The plays he used to be able to make up for with athleticism and arm strength are few and far between at this point. Roethlisberger lost one of the best wide receivers in the league this offseason and replaced him with Donte Moncrief and Diontae Johnson – a 3rd round receiver from Toledo.

Roethlisberger may have eclipsed 5,100 passing yards last season, but he won’t be able to put up those volume numbers in 2019. With a handful of young receivers and nobody outside of JuJu Smith-Schuster he can rely on, Ben struggles to get the offense going.

His chemistry with Antonio Brown is more important than anyone could have guessed, and Roethlisberger just looks like an average NFL quarterback at best in 2019.

How Ben Roethlisberger could improve

Offensive Coordinator, Randy Fichtner, approaches 2019 with a more balanced offense – allowing more opportunities for James Conner and company on the ground. Ben throws the ball 6-8 less times per game, and the Steelers use the run to help set up the pass.

James Washington and Diontae Johnson prove to be ahead of schedule, and though they are secondary options, develop into reliable targets for Big Ben.

Without Antonio Brown in his ear, Ben does a better job of spreading the ball around, and doesn’t feel the need to force the ball his direction (Ben threw 10 picks his way last season). Because of this, Roethlisberger actually cuts down on his interceptions 2019 and increases his overall passing efficiency – leading the Steelers to a playoff berth and a successful season.

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