For the first time in more than 15 years, the Steelers are entering the off-season with a big question mark in the quarterback. Although Ben Roethlisberger has made it clear that he wants to return, the team has not committed to bringing him back.
The biggest hurdle for the Steelers now is Big Ben’s $ 41.25 million limit for the 2021 season. The Steelers want this to be reduced and the only real way to do that is to get Roethlisberger to accept a cut in pay. Instead of following that path, one of Big Ben’s former teammates, Ike Taylor, says the quarterback should simply retire.
“I think that [Ben] should shut him down and the reason I think Ben should shut him down is because he did everything he could, “Taylor told TMZ in a recent interview.” I think Ben did everything he could. “
Taylor not only played 11 seasons with Roethlisberger, but they went to three Super Bowls together and won two of them. If the Steelers are going to continue their unparalleled successful career dating back to the 1970s, then Big Ben needs to retire or he will delay the franchise a few years, according to Taylor.
“Are you delaying a year or two or three [with a comeback]”Said Taylor.” The reason I think you’re delaying them is because you saw the progression in Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow – before he got hurt – and Baker Mayfield. So, we’re talking about three young defenders in a division. Who will you choose last? “
Basically, Taylor sees Roethlisberger as the division’s worst defender towards next season.
“I’m not talking about praise and I’m not talking about the Super Bowls,” said Taylor. “I’m talking about [2021], who will you choose last? “
If Big Ben retires, not only will the Steelers be able to begin their search for a new quarterback in the franchise, but they will also save $ 19 million in salary cap space.
“There’s nothing wrong with turning this thing off,” said Taylor. “It is difficult for many people to turn it off. It is difficult.”
As a former player who spent 12 years in the NFL – all with the Steelers – Taylor knows that it is not easy for a player to give up, so he gave Roethlisberger some advice if the quarterback is serious about returning in 20221.
“If Ben wants to go back, he needs to join this Tom Brady regiment,” said Taylor. “He really needs to improve himself in the off season and regain some of his mobility, because now in the NFL, unless you have an offensive line like Tom Brady, you really can’t be a pocket quarterback, they are dying out, right now . You need to have some kind of skill. “
Basically, if a Steelers fan is wondering what Big Ben will win on his birthday on March 2nd, you might want to send him the TB12 cookbook.
As for what will happen this season, Taylor thinks Roethlisberger will definitely end up playing, but only after suffering a cut in pay, which shouldn’t be a big deal, considering Big Ben has already won $ 253.3 million in his career.
If Roethlisberger returns, Taylor has a suggestion for his former teammate.
“Big Ben needs to say to the offensive coordinator, ‘We need to run the ball,'” said Taylor. “This is what [Ben] should do, he won Super Bowls with a good defense and a good racing game. Ben needs to go tell [offensive coordinator] Matt Canada, ‘Hey, brother, we have to set up the racing game.’ “
The Steelers came in last in race yards per game and if Roethlisberger returns, it cannot happen again. Big Ben will be 39 when the season begins and he just doesn’t seem to have the ability to fully charge the attack. One thing the Steelers could do to help Roethlisberger is to recruit a running back and that is exactly what Ryan Wilson told them to do in the first round of his last mock. You can check Wilson’s mock draft by clicking here.