Can't shake something over the past few weeks as I ponder all the what-ifs in this long and sordid saga involving how the final chapter(s) of Ben Roethlisberger's time as a Steeler will play out.
Been thinking about a weird scenario.
A crazy one to be sure --- or at least one we are foreign to as football fans here in Pittsburgh.
Now, let's get this straight: I don't want this to happen.
But let's get something else straight: I don't think it's incredibly far-fetched for something like this (or pretty similar) to play out and Steelers coach Mike Tomlin facing a decision he's never faced.
Goes like this …
Let's say Big Ben decides to come back at that reduced rate and as the entrenched starter gets through camp a-ok and takes his requisite role as starting quarterback to begin the season.
We all know the Steelers will be saddled with the task of a tough schedule next season. And let's play along here and say it isn't easy sledding in the early going --- the Steelers are like 1-4 or 2-3 or thereabouts through their first five games and Ben isn't exactly the reason the team has just a win or two, but hasn't been a shoving force as to what could have propelled them to more wins, either.
Big Ben has just been kind of Big Blah over the first five games … and then the season starts to get on him. After all, he will be 39 when the games begin again.
And in that sixth game or so, Ben throws four interceptions or has just a miserable game --- the kind of game that ranks toward the bottom of what we've seen from him in his dazzling career.
The talk shows chatter. They chatter overtime and loudly.
Twitter buzzes and jolts to a commotion we haven't seen before --- even for social media in this town.
The rumblings really hit a high point that Big Ben is looking Big Ancient.
Nonetheless, the Steelers are out there the next week and the safe money is still on Roethlisberger --- because he's shown us time and again to never bet against him.
After all, he's Ben Roethlisberger. He will always come through; he'll always be the best option.
Instead, though, coming off that four interception performance Ben sputters through the first half and looks bad again. The Steelers trail something like 17-3 at the half and all of Steeler Nation has turned into Steeler Consternation.
This team is on the cusp of going 1-6 or 2-5 or thereabouts.
Ugh.
The quarterback doesn't look like the man we all knew just a few short seasons ago and, while things are still salvageable, it is going to take a comeback win in the current game and then ripping through a bunch of victories over the rest of the season.
Now is the big question and the crux of this whole column: Could you ever see Mike Tomlin, in this moment I just described, replacing a healthy Ben Roethlisberger in-game and going with someone else?
Could you envision any scenario where Coach T looks over at Big Ben and says, "We're going with Mason next series" or "Haskins is going to give it a shot now" and render Ben a baseball cap-wearing spectator?
I don't know about you, but I really wonder.
I wonder if Mike Tomlin would have it in him in such a scenario to sit Ben.
I wonder, even further, if Mike Tomlin would have it in him in any scenario to sit Ben if the quarterback's skills dropped off to the point where many of us would decide the most logical play would be to go with someone else if even only for the sake of shaking things up some.
Again, I don't at all want this to happen. I'd rather Ben have that magical season and ride off into the sunset a champion; or at the very least go out on his terms.
But if the Steelers are going to have Roethlisberger back --- and knowing the power and pull he has within the organization ---- what I just described is something that absolutely could play out.
Would Tomlin ever bench Ben?
It would be thrilling theater if it got to the point where the head coach would have to ponder such a decision.
I wonder. I really wonder if Tomlin could do it.
