QB security gone with Ben’s departure

Commentary

Ben Roethlisberger made it official on Thursday -- his 18-year NFL career is finished.

He certainly produced a Hall of Fame resume as the Steelers' starting quarterback, winning two Super Bowls, three AFC championships and 165 regular-season games, along with throwing for more than 64,000 yards and 418 touchdowns.

The numbers and big victories were impressive and will never be discounted, but the biggest contribution he gave the Steelers was stability at the most important position for 18 seasons.

That will be the most difficult aspect to replace.

The Steelers will begin the offseason by trying to find Roethlisberger's replacement, and that could come from a variety of sources -- a seasoned veteran looking for a fresh start with a strong organization, a rookie draft pick in April from a quarterback class that isn't highly rated, or it could be one of the two QBs currently on the roster.

No matter what course the offseason takes, it's hard to imagine the Steelers will find someone who will give their fans hope of being a Super Bowl contender for the next two decades, the way Roethlisberger did -- while playing most of his career in the same conference as Tom Brady.

It was evident during the 2004 preseason the Steelers had selected a special player in that year's draft. Big Ben's legend grew as he immediately made a huge impact, leading the Steelers on an unbeaten streak all the way to the AFC championship game as a 22-year-old rookie.

Although that season ended in disappointment, his brashness and arrogance helped carry the Steelers to their fifth Super Bowl title in his second season.

During his 20s, his youthfulness fueled the Steelers to two more Super Bowl appearances, winning one. His ability to use his 6-foot-5, 240-pound frame to shrug off defenders and throw on the run kept the Steelers in playoff contention each year.

But those were also some tumultuous times, too, with Roethlisberger injured in a motorcycle accident in 2006 and getting twice accused of sexual assault, which led to a four-game suspension in 2010.

He reshaped his image after the suspension, got married in 2011 and approached the game and his dealings with the public and media in a more mature manner. Through his 30s, the Steelers remained competitive, and Roethlisberger enjoyed some of his best statistical seasons -- although he never led the Steelers back to the Super Bowl.

This past season, it was evident it was time for him to retire.

The offense was unwatchable at times, and although the Steelers did make the playoffs, Big Ben could no longer keep up with the new young breed of quarterbacks in the league.

The key plays in many of the Steelers' wins in 2021 -- the blocked punt in Buffalo, the strip sack against Seattle, the interceptions in the end zone against Denver and Baltimore, the missed Detroit field goal and Lamar Jackson's slightly altered two-point conversion pass -- came with Roethlisberger not on the field.

He showed signs of the old Roethlisberger, but the magic was gone.

The Steelers might be able to find some temporary fixes to their quarterback need over the next several years. Even QBs like Mark Malone, Bubby Brister, Neil O'Donnell, Mike Tomczak, Kordell Stewart and Tommy Maddox won playoff games for the Steelers.

But to find someone who will give the Steelers hope for success every season and in every game for the next 18 years? The odds of that happening are astronomical.

Buck Frank can be reached at bfrank@altooonamirror.com.