Continuing our list with part 68 of our 90-part series — assuming the roster does not change before we are complete — which will break down each player of the Steelers current 90-man roster in alphabetical order. This series will encompass many aspects of each players game and their current role with the team. At the end, I’ll give some projected stats as well as their chances to make the 53-man roster.

Let’s take a look at Pittsburgh Steelers legend, and future hall of famer:

Ben Roethlisberger

Position: QB
Height: 6’ 5”
Weight: 240 lbs
College: Miami (OH)
Draft: 1st round, 11th Overall in 2004

2019 stats

2 Games played
35 Completions
62 Attempts
351 Yards
0 Touchdowns
1 Interception
66.0 QBR

Contract remaining

Expires in 2022
$23,750,000 salary cap number (11.83% of total cap)
$22,550,000 Dead money
$1,500,000 Savings if cut

Likelihood of making the roster

I debated even including this category for the Roethlisberger A-Z, but for the sake of continuity... Lock, absolute lock, throw away the key locked on the roster. Ben Roethlisberger isn't going anywhere, not now, and definitely not in 2021. If you take away the fact he’s one of the greatest football players of all-time, he’s still not going anywhere because he is on an uncuttable contract. If current 2021 cap projection stands, Roethlisberger would account for nearly 25% of the total salary cap, which makes Big Ben a big candidate for an extension past 2022.

2020 projection

With all the noise coming out of Pittsburgh about Ben Roethlisberger’s health, I fully expect another quality year out of the veteran signal caller. Roethlisberger is coming back to an offense that really didn't lose any significant pieces, while gaining the likes of Eric Ebron, Derek Watt, and second-round pick Chase Claypool. The talent around Roethlisberger is better in 2020 then it was in 2019 and I fully expect him to put up stats that are at least around his career averages.

Projected stats:

16 Games played
390 Completions
590 Attempts
4,400 Yards
31 Touchdowns
8 Interception

Summary

When you think of the 2020 Pittsburgh Steelers, think of them as a car. The defense is the frame as they hold everything together. The offensive line is the steering and suspension as they steer the offense and take you wherever you want to go. The receivers are the tailored interior, designed for style and comfort, as the wide outs are a luxury. The running backs and tight ends are the transmission, shifting the team into higher gears. And finally, Ben Roethlisberger is the engine, if it isn't for him nothing else works. The tires don’t spin, the transmission won't shift, and the nice leather seats just become an inconvenient place to sit.

If Ben Roethlisberger plays like how he did In 2018, there is no doubt in my mind the Pittsburgh Steelers are a Super Bowl contender. We should find out what we still have in Ben come Week 1, and with any luck the pistons are firing on all cylinders.

Previously Highlighted

Ola Adeniyi
Marcus Allen
Tyson Alualu
Trajan Bandy
Zach Banner
J.T. Barrett
John Battle
Jordan Berry
Saeed Blacknall
Breon Borders
Chris Boswell
Antoine Brooks Jr.
Isaiah Buggs
Devin Bush
Deon Cain
Kam Canaday
Chase Claypool
Josiah Coatney
James Conner
Anthony Coyle
Jordan Dangerfield
Amara Darboh
Carlos Davis
David DeCastro
Christian DiLauro
Kevin Dotson
Bud Dupree
Eric Ebron
Terrell Edmunds
Trey Edmunds
Matt Feiler
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Zach Gentry
Ulysees Gilbert III
Derwin Gray
Joe Haden
J.C. Hassenauer
Quadree Henderson
Dewayne Hendrix
Cam Heyward
Alex Highsmith
Mike Hilton
Devlin Hodges
John Houston
Anthony Johnson
Diontae Johnson
Jarron Jones
John Keenoy
Tyree Kinnel
Christian Kuntz
Justin Layne
Leo Lewis
James Lockhart
Paxton Lynch
Dan McCullers
Vance McDonald
Anthony McFarland Jr.
Henry Mondeaux
Christian Montano
Alexander Myres
Steven Nelson
Spencer Nigh
Chuks Okorafor
James Pierre
Maurkice Pouncey
Kevin Rader
Dax Raymond