PITTSBURGH — As a general philosophy, Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin treats each season as its own entity, with no direct through line from one to the next.
Considering his quarterback’s state of mind, that’s probably a good idea.
While Tomlin believes the Steelers have a “championship caliber” team a couple days removed from an ugly blowout loss to New England in the AFC title game, his franchise’s most important player isn’t guaranteeing a return in 2017. Ben Roethlisberger said Tuesday during his weekly appearance on 93.7 The Fan that he needs time to reflect before coming back for a 14th season.
“I’m going to take this offseason to evaluate, to consider all options, to consider health and family, and things like that, and just kind of take some time away to evaluate next season, if there’s going to be a next season, all those things,” he said.
Roethlisberger will turn 35 in March and is under contract through 2020. Knee injuries forced him to miss time in each of the last two seasons and while Pittsburgh ripped off nine straight wins on its way to the AFC North title and its first appearance in the NFL’s final four in six years, Roethlisberger wasn’t sharp. He threw 10 interceptions over Pittsburgh’s final seven games, though he didn’t receive much help Sunday against the New England Patriots. Dropped passes, a groin injury to running back Le’Veon Bell and occasionally questionable playcalling – not to mention Tom Brady at his peak – played significant factors in his worst postseason loss.
While Roethlisberger cautioned he’s “not by any means saying he’s not coming back,” he considered it “prudent” to take a step back before deciding if he has the energy to make another push.
That’s fine by Tomlin, who wasn’t alarmed by Roethlisberger’s admission mostly because they’ve had similar discussions in the past.
“That’s football,” Tomlin said. “Obviously I’m hopeful he returns and the potential of his return or not returning will weigh heavily on our planning. That’s life. He’s the most significant component of what we do. We’ll plan and react accordingly.”
Roethlisberger is one of the three Steelers left from the team that won the Super Bowl 11 years ago. The exodus includes tight end and Roethlisberger’s longtime friend Heath Miller, who retired last February.
It seems unlikely Roethlisberger – who has three seasons left on the five-year, $100 million deal he signed in March 2015 – would walk away considering the Steelers (13-6) figure to be in the mix again next season. And the offensive line that allowed Roethlisberger to be sacked just 17 times in 14 games will remain intact.
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