The Pittsburgh Steelers are in limbo with their quarterback status. Although the contract negotiations between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger are taking place this week, as it is, it has long been unknown.
Roethlisberger returns next season has been a hot topic, and who better than outspoken Ike Taylor to offer his opinion?
Taylor, who spent 11 seasons with the Steelers and 10 with Big Ben, recently spoke to TMZ about what we’ve all noticed in the past few seasons – Roethlisberger is slowing down, which says a lot because he was never quick.
The former cornerback points to AFC North youth – Joe Burrow, Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson – as the reason the 38-year-old should quit.
“You are going back a year, two or three,” said Taylor of Roethlisberger’s return. “The reason I think you’re delaying 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? “
Taylor has nothing but respect for Roethlisberger and the Hall of Fame career he produced in Pittsburgh. But he knows from experience when it’s time to call it a career.
“There’s nothing wrong with turning that thing off,” said Taylor. “It is difficult for many people to close it. It’s difficult.”
If Ben plays again this season, Taylor has a piece of advice: work to get fit this season and get some mobility.
“I think if Seven wants to go back, Seven has to join the Tom Brady regime,” said Taylor. “He really needs to improve himself in the off-season and regain some of his mobility.”
“Seven” could never be physically compared to the 43-year-old Brady, but it is wise for Roethlisberger to think outside the pocket.
“In the NFL, unless you have an offensive line like Tom Brady’s, you can’t be a pocket quarterback. They are dying out now. “
The problem is that the Pittsburgh offensive line is not like that of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Far from it. It is one of many areas where the team needs to improve this off-season if it has post-season aspirations.
“Seven has to change,” Taylor continued. “Big Ben needs to say to the offensive coordinator: ‘We need to run the ball’. Seven won Super Bowls with a good defense and a good racing game. Sete needs to say to Matt Canada: ‘Hey, bro, we have to set up a racing game.’ “
I’m sure Canada doesn’t need Big Ben to tell him that Pittsburgh needs to commit and move on. Fixing the racing game is one of the reasons why Canada was promoted in the first place.
As for whether Roethlisberger should retire – I’d rather see the Steelers better prepared for Roethlisberger’s departure than where they are now with Mason Rudolph. As long as Big Ben still manages to show the numbers, which was evident last season, he must continue playing. But their days are certainly numbered, and Pittsburgh needs to put its ducks in a row for that inevitable day.