Steelers can’t justify giving Ben Roethlisberger an extension at this point

The Steelers have been getting some poor play out of their quarterback as of late. Here’s why it’s hard to justify a Ben Roethlisberger contract extension.

Steelers fans are upset, and they should be. Early in the season, Pittsburgh looked like the team to beat in the NFL. While the defense has still held up their end of the bargain, the offense not only looks underserving of a playoff spot, but it also hasn’t looked much better than it did last year with Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges at the helm.

Nearing the final stretch of the season, this is the last thing Steelers fans were hoping for. Despite staying upright for five straight weeks before taking a lone sack against the Buffalo Bills in Week 14, Ben Roethlisberger seems to be getting progressively worse. Now, Pittsburgh has lost two straight games, and they almost managed to lose to a decimated Ravens team and the depleted Dallas Cowboys in the second half of the season as well.

Is Ben Roethlisberger the biggest offensive problem for Steelers?

In years past, Big Ben has been the one to carry this franchise. With his physicality and ability to shrug off defenders, he could mask a below-average offensive line – even look very good in the process. However, that Ben Roethlisberger no longer exists.

Now, Ben takes on an appearance that much more closely resembles Alex Smith. All of his game relies on the short passing offense, as the ball comes out of his hands quickly. But don’t let the fact that he’s not getting hit lead you to believe that he has done a good job with this offense. Here’s why it’s incredibly hard to justify giving Ben Roethlisberger a contract extension: