Pittsburgh Steelers fans have sensed for some time that 2021 is the final ride for Ben Roethlisberger in town.
He finally indicated he is likely done after the year with comments made Thursday morning.
#Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger told reporters today that Monday night’s game vs. Browns will likely be his final game at Heinz Field.
"I don’t ever speak in guarantees, but signs are pointing that this could be it." (via @Teresa_Varley) pic.twitter.com/uEcoeoC4fD
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 30, 2021
While fans should have suspected this, it still leads to a realization that one of the generation’s best players is nearly done.
That has the NFL world reacting on social media in a variety of ways.
Ben Roethlisberger is 100 percent turning Matt Canada’s microphone off Monday night. No way he’s letting Canada screw up his moment.
— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) December 30, 2021
NFL Fans React To The News
Steelers fans in general are reacting with plenty of emotion as the end of an era is here.
It’s hard not to be emotional about Ben Roethlisberger.
You won’t get any “neutral writer” from me here.
Ben is the reason you own a terrible towel.
Ben provided us countless dinner table chatter with family.
Ben gave us an unmatched passion for Pittsburgh sports.#Steelers
— Mike Nicastro (@MikedUpSports1) December 30, 2021
Let’s hope we get Backyard Ben Roethlisberger on Monday against the Browns and goes for 400 with 5 touchdowns. Tell Matt Canada to stay home. #Steelers #NFL
— Blitzburgh (@BlitzVideos) December 30, 2021
Me and my boy @PreacherBoyRoy got tickets to this weeks Monday night game against the Browns thinking it MAY be Ben Roethlisberger's final home game…now it is all but confirmed. Glad I get to see this part of history in person. Hope they ball out for sure!
— Robert Robinson (@RobRobGraphics) December 30, 2021
Roethlisberger began his Steelers career in 2004 and led the team to two Super Bowls in the span of just a few years.
The team has not been to that mountaintop for over a decade, but the quarterback remained one of the best in the NFL under center the entire time.
Monday night there will be one last offensive player introduction for this man.. "and youuuurrrrrrr quarterback.. from Miami of Ohio..Ben Roethlisberger!!!!"
I don't think I'm ready for that. pic.twitter.com/hdaBBVKAwB
— SteelerNation (@SteeIerNation) December 30, 2021
"Ben Roethlisberger" pic.twitter.com/AMG1JYjI6J
— Still A Divided Country (@NuYarka4Life) December 30, 2021
Ben Roethlisberger gave us many great years.
Thank you, 7 😢 https://t.co/ZUUWX7RNhh
— Thom Tillis Fan (@ThomTillisFan) December 30, 2021
There are also plenty of people who won’t be sad to see the quarterback go.
Cleveland Browns fans in particular have been tortured by Roethlisberger for years and beating him one last time would be a true changing of the guard.
Time to send Ben Roethlisberger home crying just like last year #Browns. pic.twitter.com/zGJ3AQA27G
— Tyler Johnson (@T_johnson_TJ) December 30, 2021
I’m giving away this Crying Big Ben t-shirt if the #Browns beat Pittsburgh.
Let’s send Ben Roethlisberger to retirement with an L.
RT this & follow me to win 🔥🤝 pic.twitter.com/oI16GRYEyC
— Nick Pedone (@NickPedone12) December 30, 2021
There’s nothing I would like more than to send Ben Roethlisberger off a loser the way he sent the Browns off losers all but 4 times
— Kevin (@kogorman51) December 30, 2021
Monday should be a nice sendoff for the Steelers legend.
Yet it also puts the focus on finding a replacement in 2022.
Steelers fans are surely going to have their sights set on big names like Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson.
The last thing they want is an in-between year with Mason Rudolph under center.
So will Mason Rudolph become the starting QB or do the Steelers have a diff agenda?
— Sports is my thing (@Sports_Chic2) December 30, 2021
Please save the Mason Rudolph tweets for a different day, I already have to cry about Big Ben leaving. Please don’t make me cry at the thought of Rudolph.
— Stillers Gal Nia 💛🖤 (@JujusFish) December 30, 2021
If Ben Roethlisberger does retire. I hope to God the Steelers do not ride with Mason Rudolph as their QB. He’s awful. #Steelers
— Blitzburgh (@BlitzVideos) December 30, 2021
Steelers fans are not used to change at the quarterback position and the same is true for the front office in Pittsburgh.
But blame also falls there for not having a true succession plan in place until Roethlisberger officially called it quits.
NEXT: Ben Roethlisberger Admits What Fans Suspected