Colin Dunlap used to be convinced Ben Roethlisberger was going to retire after this season. In fact, the Fan morning show host thought Roethlisberger would maybe even hang it up after last year's playoff debacle.
But with Roethlisberger looking reenergized at OTAs, Dunlap is beginning to change his mind. He now thinks there's a 60-40 chance Roethlisberger comes back next season, and maybe even the year after that.
"Unless it is absolute mayhem, it's starting to become in clearer focus for me: I don't know if this is Ben's last year," Dunlap said Friday. "I never thought I'd be here with this, and they haven't even taken one snap, not even in a preseason game yet, but is everybody else reading the tea leaves? Is everyone seeing the stars align?"
There are multiple reasons for Dunlap's change of heart, beginning with Roethlisberger's attendance at voluntary OTAs, and apparent interest in his younger teammates. Last week, Chase Claypool said he now has a friendlier relationship with Big Ben.
"It's a lot more friendly, less talk about football, more talk about random things, more jokes back and forth," he said. "A lot more fun."
Veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick also praised Roethlisberger, saying his presence at OTAs even helps members of the defense get better.
Those are telling quotes. It's obvious Roethlisberger is enjoying himself.
"I thought he was over it, and I thought the watershed moment was going to be (Maurkice) Pouncey sitting on the bench crying, but he seems rejuvenated around these games," Dunlap said.
Steelers players have defended Roethlisberger all offseason long, beginning with JuJu Smith-Schuster, who said again this week coming back to play for Pittsburgh was all about loyalty to Roethlisberger. Even though Smith-Schuster's market was soft, he had other suitors. Yet, he seemingly believes returning to the Steelers was the best way to rebuild his value.
With Najee Harris in the mix, the Steelers possess an excellent collection of skill players. There remain questions about the offensive line, but Roethlisberger doesn't seem concerned. He told reporters he has plenty of good football left.
"I had more in the tank," Roethlisberger said. "Felt disappointed about the way the season ended and hate to go out that way. Sort of let them know if they wanted me back, I felt like I could give them everything I got."
Of course, Roethlisberger's performance over the final seven games of last season would say otherwise, but maybe his slide was attributable to injury. Either way, it doesn't look like he's planning his exit.
That's good news for the Steelers, who still don't have an heir apparent.
"He's starting to strike me in the things he was saying — and I didn't think he'd be this guy, I was kind of wondering if he would be — but bleeding it out all the way until the end," Dunlap said. "It's starting to add up where Ben might be 58 years old, and he's still playing."
