If the Pittsburgh Steelers eventually decide to release Ben Roethlisberger, the question remains whether he wants to continue his career in a new city or retire.
Should such a scenario develop, the most likely destination appeared to be Indianapolis Colts. But then the Colts decided to make a switch to former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz on Thursday.
So, where else?
Since there seems to be no other candidate set, Pro Football Talk apparently decided to list … almost everyone.
“The only potentially viable options, now that the Colts are engaged, appear to be these: Jets, Patriots, Texans (if they trade Deshaun Watson), Broncos, Raiders (if they trade Derek Carr, which seems highly unlikely), Cowboys (if they let Dak Prescott walking), Washington, Bears, Panthers, Saints, 49ers and Seahawks (if they trade Russell Wilson, which seems highly unlikely). This is the broadest universe of indisputably realistic possibilities.“
OK. Let’s go through that list a little. And, of course, we have to recognize that if Carr, Wilson, Prescott and Watson are all moved, then four other teams will be absorbed as options. But who knows how the dominoes will fall?
If Roethlisberger wants to continue playing, I don’t see why he would start again in circumstances as difficult as he would find in New York, Carolina, Houston and Denver.
I also can’t imagine Roethlisberger wanting to work on Kyle Shanahan’s crime in San Francisco. Bill Belichick always spoke enthusiastically about Roethlisberger. But I don’t know how Ben would handle such a heavy coaching hand in New England or following Tom Brady’s legacy.
And would the Saints like to bring Roethlisberger into the mix with Taysom Hill and (perhaps) Jameis Winston? Would Big Ben want that kind of competition? I will say no to both.
Las Vegas is a marginal playoff candidate. Dallas has offensive weapons. Washington also has some. In addition to a good defense. If Roethlisberger has the stomach to play for Jon Gruden, Jerry Jones or Daniel Snyder, perhaps these organizations are intriguing.
Given what the Bears need as a quarterback (ranked 22nd pass attack in 2020), Chicago may be the most logical landing point if a more preferred destination doesn’t present itself. The team was apparently interested in Wentz and former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. But Stafford was sent to the Los Angeles Rams. Here’s what Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune wrote on Thursday.
“The Bears are in a desperate situation and any team that intends to negotiate with a quarterback will insert them into the conversations. This is an inevitable dilemma facing the Bears.
Bears general manager Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy have the enormous task of starting a difficult offensive and two possibilities have been removed from the board. The next move for Pace and Nagy, who are already sitting on the hot seat, is unclear.
It would be surprising if the Bears considered rehiring Mitch Trubisky or entering the season with Nick Foles, the only quarterback currently under contract, as a starter. It is possible, given Pace’s track record for aggressive moves, that he has a great swing.“
But if Roethlisberger really could choose that lot, I imagine his choice would be Seattle because of the reception targets he would have (DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett) and the chance to play for a Super Bowl winning coach at Pete Carroll.
No. I don’t see that happening either. But that would be the best scenario for the choices presented to Roethlisberger. Perhaps replacing Russ with Big Ben is what it would take for Seahawks fans to finally stop complaining that he scored on the goal line in Super Bowl XL.
Within the framework of some of those long-range choices advanced by PFT, the Seahawks would make more sense for Big Ben. But I think Chicago is the most realistic prospect. And the Bears are in a distant third place behind staying in Pittsburgh, or retiring.
Tim Benz is an editor on the Tribune-Review team. You can contact Tim at [email protected] or via Twitter. All tweets can be posted again. All emails are subject to publication, unless otherwise specified.
Tags:
Sports | Steelers / NFL | Breakfast with Benz