PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan)- Ok, ok, maybe we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
Alright, we’re definitely getting ahead of ourselves.
But the Steelers being 9-0 has us thinking of all the possibilities this season could bring. That, of course, includes a Super Bowl victory.
What if the Steelers win the Super Bowl this year? Does Ben take the Jerome Bettis route (the Bus route if you will) and take the mic and announce his retirement?
93.7 The Fan Steelers insider Ed Bouchette joined The Fan Morning Show Monday morning and gave a simple answer to that…
“No. I think he wants to tie Bradshaw. I think he wants a fourth.”
Ed says Ben is in a much different position than Jerome Bettis was.
“If they win a Super Bowl, it means he is playing top dog, man. Because he is the reason. It’s not like Jerome Bettis, Jerome hung on for like two more years at a reduced price. Remember Hines Ward crying and everything else? They thought that was it in 2004.
He came back in ’05 and that was definitely it for him, he had nothing left. I think Ben has a lot left.”
Speaking of Bradshaw, Terry recently sat down for an interview with Ben Roethlisberger as part of the NFL on FOX’s pregame coverage earlier this season. Bradshaw explained to the public afterward that he and Ben had mended fences and finally established any kind of relationship after a rocky past between the two.
Ed talked to both men recently about this very thing.
“You know, Bradshaw has had some emotional stuff he’s worked through in his life. I think he just wants to be loved. Chuck Noll didn’t hug him enough I think that’s why he’s been after Noll all these years,” Ed said with a chuckle. “I think he was really touched by talking to Ben.”
“Then I talked to Ben and Ben and I get along really well. I saw no fake statements when he was talking to me about it. I think he legitimately would enjoy a relationship with Bradshaw. Not a big one, but just to ease things, have the old Steeler thing going on.”
Ed points out that in talking with Art Rooney II, the sentiment is that if Ben feels good, is playing well and wants to keep playing, the Steelers would be open to negotiating another contract with him after this one expires in 2021.