It’s not a foregone conclusion this will be Ben Roethlisberger’s final season, at least according to one NFL Insider.
On the “PM Drive” Wednesday, the longtime NFL reporter countered speculation about the Steelers drafting a quarterback this year, which has been widely suggested on ESPN.
“With five quarterbacks going in the first round and most of them going pretty high, there’s not one quarterback who you can say is going to be the next Ben Roethlisberger,” Clayton said. "Maybe he can come in and be the next Mason Rudolph — plus being a better backup. But, no, this is a draft where you are just not going to find that guy. You have to wait until next year’s draft.”
Since the Steelers aren’t picking until No. 24 overall, there’s virtually no chance any of the top five quarterbacks — Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, Trey Lance and Mac Jones — will still be on the board. With that in mind, Pittsburgh would be better off filling their various areas of need, especially on the offensive line. It’s very plausible there will be upper-echelon tackles and centers available late in the first round.
There’s also the guarantee that any rookie quarterback would be slated to sit behind Ben Roethlisberger, rendering him useless for 2020. The Steelers need to try and win now. “You’ve got to look at the philosophy right now: it’s trying to do everything you can to try and win now,” Clayton said.
Still, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said the Steelers “need” to target quarterbacks this year, and his colleague, Dan Graziano, said they could do it in the second round. But Kellen Mond or Kyle Trask wouldn’t help the Steelers next season, and neither projects to be a franchise guy going forward. That would be a wasteful pick.
Besides, there’s the possibility Roethlisberger could return for the 2022 campaign. Clayton says he wouldn’t rule that out.
“I know he’s on a one-year contract, but it’s not out of the question he could sign another one-year contract,” Clayton said. “I still think he’s going to be there for two years. During that time, you want to max it out.”
Given how Big Ben ended last season, the prospect of him coming back at 40 years old is kind of terrifying. But is it worse than imagining some random stopgap under center?
Most importantly, It affords the Steelers more time. When it comes to selecting Roethlisberger’s heir apparent, that’s what they need more than anything.
