Ben Roethlisberger has been a mainstay of the Pittsburgh Steelers for 18 seasons. In that time, Big Ben has helped lead them to two Super Bowl championships, gone to six Pr0 Bowls, holds the NFL record for most career 500+ yard passing games (4), and holds more franchise records than you can list.
His era may be ending in a matter of weeks as the Steelers look to the future and try to refresh the franchise. At 7-7-1 they’re not exactly the Detroit Lions, but for Pittsburgh, the demand for excellence means they want to start moving back up the board to keep pace with the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, and Cincinnati Bengals.
The writing has been on the wall for Roethlisberger for some time and he essentially admitted on Thursday that this Monday’s game against the Browns will likely be his last at Heinz Field as a Steeler.
Ben Roethlisberger won’t speak in definites, but he says “all signs” are pointing that “this could be it” his last game — at least regular season — at Heinz Field. pic.twitter.com/9jlhR99Kty
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 30, 2021
“I don’t ever speak in definites or guarantees, that’s just not what I’ve ever done or not who I am,” said Roethlisberger. “But looking at the bigger picture, I would say that all signs are pointing to this could be it. Regular season, that is. We still have a chance to potentially get a playoff game there if things fall our way. We take care of business and things have to happen. But in the grand scheme of things, in terms of the regular season, signs are pointing that way at this point.”
This Monday could be Ben Roethlisberger’s final game at Heinz Field. He could tie Brett Favre for the 3rd-most wins at a single venue including postseason (98). Only Tom Brady (135) and John Elway (104) have more than them. pic.twitter.com/EzshuXKWV6
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 30, 2021
If this is it for Big Ben, it will end the longest run for one quarterback with one NFL franchise. Given the way Pittsburgh has traditionally stayed loyal to its coaches and stars, it probably couldn’t have happened that way with any other team.
With Ben Roethlisberger confirming this season is likely his last, he will have played 18 seasons, all with the Steelers.
That's the longest tenure for any QB in NFL history to play with just one team.
A Steeler from start-to-finish.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 30, 2021
For a whole generation of NFL fans, Roethlisberger is synonymous with the Steelers. So it’s going to be jarring to see someone else as the starting quarterback moving forward. There were certainly a lot of interesting reactions on social media following Ben’s comments.
There's never going to be another Ben Roethlisberger. He's a once in a lifetime player. Wishing him out it silly. Obviously you weren't old enough or you forget the 25 years between 7 and 12
Everything else be damned. This is the final two games of his career. Sit back and enjoy
— SteelerNation (@steelernation) December 29, 2021
I figured this would be it. His body's been breaking down on him all season and his contract expires at the end of this year.
It technically should've happened after the elbow injury a few years ago, but I can't blame someone for wanting to go out on their terms.
It's time. https://t.co/h26yvUBxqE
— Schlasser (@UrinatingTree) December 30, 2021
It’s hard not to be emotional about Ben Roethlisberger.
You won’t get any “neutral writer” from me here.
Ben is the reason you own a terrible towel.
Ben provided us countless dinner table chatter with family.
Ben gave us an unmatched passion for Pittsburgh sports.#Steelers
— Mike Nicastro (@MikedUpSports1) December 30, 2021
Ben Roethlisberger is 100 percent turning Matt Canada’s microphone off Monday night. No way he’s letting Canada screw up his moment.
— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) December 30, 2021
It’s pretty unlikely Roethlisberger, who once said he almost retired in 2017, will want to try to play elsewhere and he’ll probably retire at the end of the season. While his off-season life is filled with some very questionable issues, he’s almost certainly on the road to becoming a Hall of Famer for what he accomplished in the black and gold.
