Ben Roethlisberger could have played his last game for the Pittsburgh Steelers. General manager Kevin Colbert told the two-time Super Bowl winner NFL quarterback that the team “will have to look at the current situation”. Roethlisberger’s current deal has $ 41.25 million against the ceiling in 2021, and the Steelers will have to find out whether they want to pay it or not. If not, there are still some great landing points for Ben Roethlisberger in a potential trade.
Roethlisberger will receive $ 15 million from Steelers on the third day of the league’s 2021 year. If you plan to cut it, it will probably be before that date. An exchange with Ben Roethlisberger would leave the team that acquired him in jeopardy for $ 19 million – a number that should not dissuade them.
Ben Roethlisberger landing sites | AFC
New England Patriots
Not many NFL coaches are more familiar with Roethlisberger than Bill Belichick. While the Patriots won out over Steelers most of the time, including two AFC Championship Games, the opportunity to acquire a potential future Hall of Famer can be attractive.
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The Patriots usually have one of the best offensive lines in the league. A move to New England may allow Big Ben to avoid being hit in the 39-year season. The Patriots hold the 15th choice in the NFL’s 2021 Draft and will likely have to climb to get one of the best QBs. Bringing in a veteran (and a winner) would allow them to dispute the playoffs and defend the decision for another year.
Denver Broncos
PFN Insider Benjamin Allbright reported that the Broncos could bring in a quarterback to compete with Drew Lock in December. Assuming the Dallas Cowboys find a way to keep Dak Prescott for at least another year, an exchange with Ben Roethlisberger could be a more attractive option than any remaining free agent.
Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and Noah Fant would be an attractive young receiver for Roethlisberger to work. Tim Patrick, KJ Hamler and DaeSean Hamilton are also among the best depth options in the NFL. They would only improve with a reliable veteran QB, making this an attractive landing point for Ben Roethlisberger.
Ben Roethlisberger landing sites | NFC
Chicago Bears
Roethlisberger showed in 2020 that he could take advantage of the favorable opportunities that a dominant defense gave him. The Bears have several pieces in place to be a competitor. The combination of Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles prevented them from reaching their potential, however.
Roethlisberger would not have the same weapons around him as he did in Pittsburgh, however. In addition, Allen Robinson’s possible departure would worsen the situation. Still, he would make the Bears competitive in a difficult division. Having previously sent a choice to bring Bellows, a Ben Roethlisberger deal is not out of the question at this potential landing site.
Washington Football Team
Alex Smith was the wellness story of the 2020 NFL season. As a quarterback, he held the team, however. One of the team’s most impressive performances in QB came with Taylor Heinicke in the Wild Card loss to Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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Heinicke will probably still be on the team. However, a veteran like Ben Roethlisberger, who is not afraid to shoot deep, can help an underestimated group of recipients, led by Terry McLaurin. The ability to stretch the field would also help Antonio Gibson, the running back rookie who showed potential as a superstar, allowing him to face lighter boxes.
San Francisco 49ers
It has been a long time since the 49ers had an above average defender game. Alex Smith was the team’s last QB to do the Pro Bowl in 2013. Colin Kaepernick had moments of stardom, and Jimmy Garoppolo showed some glimpses. Joe Montana / Steve Young’s succession was a long time ago, however.
The team made it to the Super Bowl a year ago, despite Garoppolo, and not because of him. Coach Kyle Shanahan is one of the best offensive players on the market. However, he had to make his way with Nick Mullens and CJ Beathard very often. An exchange with Ben Roethlisberger would allow the team to open the manual even in the twilight of his career.
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