Could Steelers seek leadership in a rookie quarterback next season?

The Pittsburgh Steelers have begun preparing for the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger. Have they considered looking at a rookie replacement for next season? 

January serves as a busy month for citizens across the nation. As people from all over self-evaluate and set goals, NFL franchises also begin to look ahead. Coaching staffs have an idea of how they how and when they will start their off-season.

Teams who did not qualify for seeding in their conference bracket will have a head start on evaluating their rosters for next season. With speculation of Pittsburgh’s veteran quarterback retiring at the end of the season, Steelers fans have begun to explore the options of having a new leader under center.

Ben Roethlisberger has been the definition of Pittsburgh Steelers football. For nineteen years, the fans of Pittsburgh have relied on his ability to win. His Toughness, persistence, and determination have added three Vince Lombardi trophies to the trophy case. When rosters changed as the years passed by, Roethlisberger stayed consistent. His sixty-four winning percentage has given the Steelers opportunities to succeed throughout his career.

Most athletes aim to play their respective sport for as long as they can. The thought of leaving the game they have loved since their youth could be a hard thing to handle. In most cases, players retire when the timing is right, and their age has become a factor on the field. Legends like Peyton Manning, Drew Bress, and Phillip Rivers have been affected as of late. At thirty-nine, Roethlisberger is next for the retirement train. Performances by Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins have analysts discussing the possibility of a rookie replacement.

Steelers have a history of defense

First-round selections have a history of being contributors to the Steelers’ production. Four of the last five first-round picks for Pittsburgh are current starters. T. J Watt has been one of those contributors. His 20.5 sacks in fourteen games this season define how important his role is. The offense has been the focus of the Steelers as of late.

During the 2021 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Najee Harris with the twenty-fourth overall pick. He was immediately inserted into Matt Canada’s offense and was expected to perform. His countless carries and role in the passing offense have helped the Steelers finish the season more cleanly. Similar will be expected from the next first-round selection.

Who is the Real number two?

Replacing Ben Roethlisberger with a rookie quarterback is hard to imagine, especially for Mason Rudolph. His role on the roster has not grown much since joining the team in 2018. At the time, Pittsburgh had its first-round focuses on Artie Burns, a cornerback from the University of Miami. When given opportunities to shine, Rudolph struggles to win over the hearts of Pittsburgh’s fans. His 9-7-1 career record would lead many to believe he can take over the reins.

The addition of Dwyane Haskins has confused the minds of fans. When Pittsburgh acquired Haskins in the 2021 off-season, fans believed he would serve as the second string behind Ben Roethlisberger. After failing to convince coaches in the off-season, Haskins fell to the teams’ last resort. The idea of leaving the offense to a player who has not played this season would be hard to believe.

Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement will end an era of Pittsburgh Steelers history. For some fans, his career as the quarterback was the first that they have been alive to witness. The Steelers will have several options to explore at quarterback next season.

Rumors of Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson joining the team will keep the hunt for a new quarterback interesting. Until then, the fans of Pittsburgh will choose to cherish the last days of watching Big Ben.