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When Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger dropped the bomb on the fan base regarding his potential retirement after the team lost the AFC Championship game last year to the New England Patriots, most assumed it was nothing more than a beat up quarterback talking immediately after a brutal loss.
Almost everyone felt there was no doubt Roethlisberger would be back under center in 2017, and possibly beyond, but there were some who suggested this was nothing more than Roethlisberger seeking attention, and that he had no real plan of even considering retirement.
In a recent interview with ProFootballTalk, former teammate Willie Colon told Mike Florio Roethlisberger’s retirement talk was no joke, but was indeed taken very seriously by the future Hall of Fame quarterback.
“I got to sit down and talk to him and one thing he told me is he did take it seriously,” Colon said. “He’s dealt with a lot of injuries.”
“He’s passionate about playing, but one thing that keeps his fire going is that offensive line,” Colon added. “You have to worry about the health of Ben Roethlisberger. Can you keep him upright, can he stay healthy for the duration? They have the offensive line, they have the pieces around him to make it work.”
Roethlisberger certainly could have seriously contemplated stepping away from the game, but the last quote from Colon truly tells the story. If Roethlisberger still wants to win, he would be foolish to step away from a team which deploys Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell, Martavis Bryant, Ladarius Green, Eli Rogers, a pair of capable rookies and the aforementioned stellar offensive line.
Are there issues on the defensive side of the football for the Steelers? Certainly, but this very well could be the most talented offense Roethlisberger has ever had around him from top to bottom, and that includes the teams who won Super Bowl 40 and 43.
Regardless of the severity of his retirement talk, Roethlisberger is committed to the 2017-2018 season, and everyone hopes it results in another championship.