The 2021 season might be the ‘last dance’ for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
According to Dale Lolley of DK Pittsburgh Sports, Roethlisberger seems likely to retire after the 2021 season.
Roethlisberger has spent his entire 17-year career thus far with the Steelers, throwing for 60,348 yards and 396 touchdowns.
He has won two Super Bowls, is a six-time Pro Bowler, and was the 2004 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Roethlisberger has been a cornerstone of the Steelers franchise for almost two decades, but if he decides to hang up the cleats, Pittsburgh must think to the future.
All three of these quarterbacks provide different possibilities for the Steelers and all three would help the post-Roethlisberger transition in Pittsburgh run much smoother.
3. Ryan Fitzpatrick
Ryan Fitzpatrick is currently playing for the Washington Football Team on a one-year, $10 million contract.
He isn’t the flashiest of quarterbacks, but he is a 16-year NFL veteran who is respected throughout the NFL.
Throughout his career, Fitzpatrick has appeared in 165 games and has completed 60.7 percent of his passes for 34,977 yards and a 223/169 TD/INT ratio.
He has also rushed 574 times for 2,621 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Last season, when he was with the Miami Dolphins, Fitzpatrick appeared in nine games, started seven, and threw for 2,091 yards and a 13/8 TD/INT ratio.
Fitzpatrick entered the NFL just one season after Roethlisberger.
While replacing the Steelers’ star with another aging quarterback may not make sense, Fitzpatrick could serve as the perfect bridge quarterback for Pittsburgh’s future.
Fitzpatrick has proved he can be a serviceable quarterback in the NFL.
If the Steelers go the draft route at quarterback, Fitzpatrick would provide Pittsburgh with a quarterback that could help the team win games now while paving the way for the quarterback of the future.
Much like he did for Tua Tagovailoa in Miami.
2. Kedon Slovis
If the Steelers do end up selecting a quarterback, Kedon Slovis might be their best option.
With their defense in place, it’s unlikely the Steelers land a top-10 pick.
That would take Pittsburgh out of the range of players such as Oklahoma’s Spencer Rattler, North Carolina’s Sam Howell, Liberty’s Malik Willis, and Nevada’s Carson Strong.
Pittsburgh shouldn’t be too concerned if they could land Slovis, who has impressed during his time with USC.
In two seasons with the Trojans, Slovis has appeared in 18 games and has completed 70 percent of his passes for 5,423 yards, 47 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions.
Heading into the 2021 college football season, Slovis has a stranglehold on USC’s starting quarterback spot and is looking to boost his standing for the NFL Draft.
Really hope Kedon Slovis is healthy this year. Some of his plays from 2019 are absurd, especially this one.
Stays in rhythm, steps up, and delivers an absolute rope past three defenders.
— Ian Cummings (@ian_cummings_9) August 5, 2021
Slovis has incredible accuracy and has the arm strength to make throws all over the field.
With the Steelers, Slovis would be a player to build around in hopes he can start his own 17-year tenure.
1. Aaron Rodgers
In 2022, Pittsburgh has the highest cap space available at just over $74 million.
With a strong defense in place, perhaps they skip the rebuilding process entirely and chase their seventh Super Bowl ring.
Trading for All-World quarterback Aaron Rodgers might do the trick.
After a tumultuous offseason filled with twists and turns, Rodgers is fully back with the Green Bay Packers for the 2021 season.
However, Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported that an agreement has been made between Rodgers and General Manager Brian Gutekunst that will allow the Packers’ quarterback to be traded if he no longer wants play for Green Bay in 2022.
Packers Have Reportedly Agreed To Trade Aaron Rodgers If He Still Wants Out Next Year https://t.co/fo6V8iIacx #Packers pic.twitter.com/zO3Ir5AOCG
— NFLTradeRumors.co (@nfltrade_rumors) August 6, 2021
In Pittsburgh, Rodgers would have an offense that features three strong receivers in JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, and Chase Claypool; alongside rookie running back Najee Harris.
After complaining about not having enough supporting characters in Green Bay, that should do the trick.
Furthermore, Pittsburgh has a defense capable of competing for a Super Bowl.
For the Steelers, trading for Rodgers would be a sign that even without Big Ben, the franchise still has championship aspirations.
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