There had been questions as to whether Big Ben Roethlisberger would be back for the 2017 NFL season, but it is looking like he will return for another run.
After losing pretty badly in the AFC Championship Game, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had given some though to hanging up his cleats for good. The 35-year old has little to accomplish in the game, as he has led the Steelers to two Super Bowl titles. Roethlisberger recently stated that he is “leaning towards” playing next season, which has to be music to the ears of Steelers fans.
There has been plenty of speculation as to whether Malcolm Butler would be back in a New England Patriots jersey next season, as he has been linked to the New Orleans Saints as of late. The Pats put a first round tender on Butler, meaning the Saints would have to give the No. 11 overall pick to New England if they swing a deal. Saints head coach Sean Payton came away from Butler’s visit very impressed, and all signs are pointing towards the Saints getting the elite corner this offseason.
Jason Pierre-Paul played on a one-year deal with the New York Giants last season, proving he is back to being an elite player after nearly blowing his hands off during a mishap during the Fourth of July in the summer of 2015. In February, the Giants placed the Franchise Tag on him for the second time in his career, though they were able to ink a long-term deal this weekend. JPP signed a four-year, $62 million contract with the G-Men, with $40 million of that money being guaranteed.
There has been plenty of talk around who will be the Oakland Raiders running back in 2017, and those talks heated up when Latavius Murray signed with the Minnesota Vikings this past week. The loss of Murray opened up the door for a player like Adrian Peterson to sign with the Silver and Black, though it is another veteran who may actually be heading home to the Bay Area. Retired back Marshawn Lynch may actually come out of retirement, and if he does, playing for his hometown Raiders has to be enticing.
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Finally, the Raiders have been busy as of late, picking up wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson and tight end Jared Cook in the past week. Cook, who has worn No. 89 throughout his career, would like to keep that trend going with the Silver and Black. However, that number is worn by star wide receiver Amari Cooper, though Cook is willing to pay the young playmaker for the jersey number now that he is a Raider.