Ben Roethlisberger will probably play football in 2017

Expect to see Big Ben back in the Steel City next season.

You really start to feel old when guys like Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger are considering calling it a career. Following a blowout loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, Roethlisberger announced that he was thinking about retirement.

Who knows how much of a serious consideration this truly was, but now Big Ben has given us more insight into his playing future. When asked by the Washington (PA) Observer-Reporter’s Dale Lolley, Roethlisberger expressed he is leaning towards playing next fall. The only surprise here would be if the QB did decide to hang up the cleats after 13 NFL seasons. Big Ben is naturally a warrior who loves to compete, and he still has plenty to give to the Steelers.

The future hall of famer had another superb year in 2016. Roethlisberger completed 64.4 percent of his passes for almost 4,000 yards and 29 touchdowns. Not many signal callers are more consistent than No. 7 for Pittsburgh.

A departure from the team would leave the Steelers with a severe concern at quarterback. Backup Landry Jones has had a few opportunities to prove himself, but he has failed to show he can be counted on going forward. The only other QB on their depth chart is Zach Mettenberger. Although he has shown some flashes, relying on him would be a real shot in the dark.

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So what does this mean for the Steelers? They need to take a hard look at the draft and start to search for Roethlisberger’s successor. Pittsburgh has enjoyed their years of contention under their superstar quarterback, but they need to put a transition plan into place. Luckily for them, they have top skill players Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell locked up for the future.

The Steelers might have a few more runs left in them with Roethlisberger, but unfortunately, this is the beginning of the end.