Since drafting Ben Roethlisberger in 2004, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been consistently excellent. They have won two Super Bowls, appeared in another, and won six AFC North titles. In those 13 seasons, Pittsburgh has missed the postseason just three times, and not once endured a losing record.
The constant contention enjoyed in the Steel City is a byproduct of having a franchise quarterback, great coaching and rock-solid ownership. Still, the last two mean little without the former, and time is ticking on Roethlisberger’s career.
At 35 years old, Roethlisberger has already begun actively talking about retirement. Earlier this summer, Pittsburgh’s leading man wouldn’t commit to playing next year, despite having a contract that owes him $23.4 million in this and each of the next two seasons. Perhaps Roethlisberger is playing it safe by not talking about 2018. Perhaps he already knows that his wife and kids are calling, and that his body is done taking the punishment.
Going into 2017, the Steelers have a roster capable of challenging the New England Patriots in the AFC. There is Roethlisberger surrounded by a top-notch offensive line, receivers Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant, and All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell. Defensively, the talent is average but the scheme is perfected, utilizing stars such as Ryan Shazier, James Harrison, Bud Dupree and Cam Heyward in an array of blitzes and stunts.
With the North looking weaker than it has been in a decade, Pittsburgh should walk to another division crown. The only caveat is staying healthy, something that has been a bugaboo in recent years for the Steelers.
Roethlisberger has only played two full seasons since 2009, typically missing anywhere from a week to a month. With each passing season, the likelihood of another injury is substantial, especially considering his style of play. His offensive linemen have also been susceptible to ailments. All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey missed all but one game in 2013, and the entire 2015 season. In Ramon Foster’s eight-year career, he has played a full season twice. Right tackle Marcus Gilbert has also struggled to stay healthy, notching 16 games twice in his seven seasons.
Additionally, we’ve seen Bell and Shazier annually miss time, holding back a roster that always has Super Bowl aspirations. Last year, all of the aforementioned players were healthy for almost the entire year, especially down the stretch. It was good enough to reach the AFC Championship Game, only to lose in blowout fashion against the Patriots in Foxborough.
This time, Pittsburgh needs the same injury luck, but a different outcome in the league’s penultimate round.
With the knowledge that Roethlisberger is playing on a year-to-year basis, the Steelers should be feeling urgency. The proverbial stars are aligned for a run, albeit with the looming specter of New England waiting in January. Outside of New England, Pittsburgh is the best team in the AFC, having been to the Divisional round of the postseason in each of the past three seasons.
The Steelers biggest problem is the question of matching up against the Patriots. New England is 4-0 against Pittsburgh since 2013, largely because the Steelers have struggled to cover. The Patriots have demolished the Steelers with Rob Gronkowski, Chris Hogan and Julian Edelman, and now add to that cache with Brandin Cooks. If there is one weakness Pittsburgh has, it’s the lackluster defensive backfield.
If the Steelers are going to get back to the Super Bowl and perhaps send Roethlisberger out on the highest of notes, it will take a virtuoso effort from the front seven and a complimentary job by the secondary. Second-year man Artie Burns and Ross Cockrell will be expected to handle the lions share of the corner snaps, with Senquez Golson in the slot. It’s a group high on athleticism but low on results.
For the Steelers, this season is about winning the Lombardi Trophy, with any other outcome being deemed a failure. With the franchise’s most-talented roster of the decade and an aging legend at quarterback, the time is now in the Steel City.