Ben Roethlisberger: I’d retire before accepting a trade
By Josh Sanchez
On Sunday, reports surfaced that the Pittsburgh Steelers anticipated a trade request from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at the end of the season. The report focused on the poor relationship between Roethlisberger and offensive coordinator Todd Haley, along with unhappiness with the direction the team was headed.
As it turns out, Roethlisberger called the reports “the most B.S. story” he had ever heard and said that they were completely untrue.
He recently expanded on those comments.
“I’d retire before I’d accept a trade,” Roethlisberger said, via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I mean, it would have to be something really, really unbelievable for me to even consider it. I have talked to my wife about that. I don’t want to be anywhere else. This is where we want to be.
“This is where I want to raise my kids. I’m a Pittsburgher. I want to finish my career here, however long that is. I don’t want to play for anybody else. This is it for me. This is home.
“When I said I’ll never quit last week, I meant it. I’ll never quit on this season, this team or these fans. I’m going to stay on the ship. I don’t care if we never win another game, I want to stay on the ship.”
For Steelers fans, this is great news.
Quarterback is the least of their concerns and Roethlisberger has plenty left to offer the organization.
Of course, first they will need to retool the roster, and potentially the coaching staff, in order to get the team in the right direction and ensure that they maximize their talent.