The Pittsburgh Steelers snuck into the NFL postseason and that meant Ben Roethlisberger got to continue his ride as quarterback of the franchise.
He has indicated multiple times that 2021 was his final year in Pittsburgh, but the quarterback has been known to go back on such promises in the past.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin spoke with the media Tuesday and made it clear that the team is moving on.
Reporter: Is the organization proceeding with the assumption that Ben Roethilsberger won't be back in 2022?
Mike Tomlin: "We are proceeding with that assumption."
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) January 18, 2022
Well, Tomlin said the team is “proceeding with that assumption” that Roethlisberger is done with the Steelers.
That means the search is on for both sides in this situation.
All Options On The Table
The Steelers have not needed a new quarterback since drafting Big Ben back in 2004.
Tomlin has only known Roethlisberger as his quarterback during his time in Pittsburgh and the entire process has to feel weird for those in the organization.
Replacing the veteran signal-caller will not be easy and all options have to be on the table.
Tomlin made sure to note that the in-house options in Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins will be given fair shots to win the job.
Asked about #Steelers QBs Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins, Mike Tomlin says, "They'll be given an opportunity to establish themselves. There's going to be competition. There always is. They'll write that story… Both guys have positioned themselves to fight that fight."
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) January 18, 2022
He also pointed out that they aren’t the only options, which will make plenty of Steelers fans happy.
Asked about rookie QBs and veteran QBs and what could be available to the #Steelers outside the two on the roster, Mike Tomlin says, "Right now all options are on the table."
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) January 18, 2022
As for Roethlisberger, his NFL future must now continue elsewhere.
The only question is if a team will pay him starter money after he showed major regression in his throwing abilities this season.
That was fine in a farewell year in Pittsburgh, but teams aren’t going to shell out over $15 million for one year of a quarterback well past his prime.
What we do know is that Pittsburgh seems eager to move on.
Tomlin seems excited about the possibility of a new era and he can also prove his legendary status if he can continue to post winning seasons without his familiar quarterback under center.
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